Twin goals drive on Prague duo

SK Slavia Praha and AC Sparta Praha may polarise the Czech capital but they start the season sharing the twin goals of domestic supremacy and UEFA Champions League success.

Slavia on top
Slavia won last season's bragging rights by making their UEFA Champions League group-stage debut and then topping the 1. Liga table. Because of their domestic triumph, only one hurdle stands between them and a second sitting at Europe's top table – ACF Fiorentina in the third qualifying round. "They are attractive opponents," coach Karel Jarolím said.

Arresting Sheriff
Second-best last time around, Sparta had to begin their continental campaign against Moldovan champions FC Sheriff in the second qualifying round – Wednesday's 1-0 first-leg win leaves them on the verge of a meeting with either Panathinaikos FC or FC Dinamo Tbilisi. With Sparta targeting a seventh go in the UEFA Champions League proper, coach Vítězslav Lavička said: "We must focus on the home game against Sheriff and only after that think about Panathinaikos, who are a very experienced side."

Homeward bound
Raising anticipation levels on the Slavia side of the city is the club's long-awaited return to Eden, where they were based from the 1950s to the late 1980s. Latterly the club were temporarily housed at the Strahov Stadium but the new 21,000-seater ground at Eden is finally ready – and season-ticket sales of 8,000 already better last term's average attendance.

Berger the captain
While Slavia have been moving homes, Sparta have busied themselves trading players. Former Czech Republic Under-21 coach Lavička has replaced Michal Bílek at the helm, with the newcomer bringing several experienced players home after spells abroad. Patrik Berger is back at Sparta, 17 years after leaving for Slavia. The 34-year-old succeeds Beşiktaş JK-bound Tomáš Sivok as captain. Other returnees include goalkeeper Jaromír Blažek and centre-half Štěpán Kučera while Slovakian international Marián Had arrives from FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

Import market
Slavia have looked mainly to the foreign market, encouraged by the excellence of imports such as Goče Toleski and Mickaël Tavares. Their new wave features FC Internazionale Milano reserve Gianluca Litteri and Croatian defender Ronald Šiklič. However, Jarolím must live without Daniel Pudil who left for KRC Genk, as well as David Střihavka whose departure to FC Baník Ostrava signalled that club's intent to challenge the Prague rivals. The 1. Liga begins this weekend, with Sparta hosting FK Mladá Boleslav on Saturday, 24 hours before Slavia visit FC Slovan Liberec.