Plzeň 3:1 up against Maribor after first leg of Champions League playoff

Czech title-holders Viktoria Plzeň beat Slovenian side Maribor 3:1 on Tuesday evening in the first leg of a tie to decide a place in world soccer’s biggest club competition the Champions League. A late goal from Michal Ďuriš boosted the hosts’ chances ahead of the second leg, which will take place in Slovenia on Wednesday next week. The West Bohemian club first reached the Champions League in 2011, the same year they won the Czech league for the first time, and last season topped a Europa League group that included Italy’s Napoli.

Author: Masha Volynsky