Pavel Sulc Channels Wayne Rooney as Plzen Set to Challenge ‘Mega Club’ Man Utd
Published: Wed 11 Dec 2024, 6:08 PM | Last updated: Wed 11 Dec 2024, 6:30 PM
By Simon Peach, Chief Football Writer, Plzen
In a heartwarming display of nostalgia and ambition, Pavel Sulc has claimed that he will draw on the spirit of Wayne Rooney as he leads Viktoria Plzen into a thrilling Europa League clash against Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim’s inaugural European away mission brings the Red Devils to the Czech Republic, where they will hope to bounce back from recent setbacks against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Like United, Viktoria Plzen also boasts a mixed record in the Europa League, having mirrored their opponents with three draws before claiming victories against Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kyiv in the revamped group stage.
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Sulc, a midfielder in fine form with four goals in his last four outings, admits he holds a soft spot for the Manchester giants, a team he grew up idolizing.
“I used to watch them a lot when I was younger,” Sulc reminisced. “Wayne Rooney was someone I always admired, not just his skill but also his tenacity on the pitch. I try to channel that energy into my game, and it serves as my inspiration. While I respect all top players, my current focus is on my teammates and performing at my best.”
When asked about United’s struggles this season, which sees them languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table, Sulc remained cautious. “Yes, they may be struggling, but this is the Premier League, and they possess a squad filled with stars. No doubt, it’s going to be an exceptionally tough game,” he stated decisively.
As a child, Sulc owned a Rooney jersey and has expressed disappointment over not visiting Old Trafford—an experience that would have been special now that Viktoria are set to face them.
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Under the new Europa League format, the Red Devils will play at the Doosan Arena, which has a capacity of 11,700, a venue where Real Sociedad suffered a 2-1 defeat last month.
“We’ll adhere to our game plan, focusing on our typical Europa League strategy. We’ll aim to disrupt, press hard, and create a challenging atmosphere for our opponents. Like against Real Sociedad, a bit of luck will also be crucial, and we’re hoping it swings our way this time,” Sulc added.
The city of Plzen is abuzz with anticipation ahead of United’s visit. Festooned with red and blue light displays and the creation of special edition beers, the town reflects the excitement surrounding the match.
There are 1,212 limited edition cans crafted for the December 12 showdown, with Plzen’s mayor Roman Zarzycky declaring, “The match against Manchester United is a football holiday.” Sulc echoed his sentiments, stating, “This truly is a football celebration, because Manchester United is a mega club. We really hope that our fans will rally behind us, and that we can delight them with our performance.”
