Sparta Prague will be wishing they pulled a result of this stature out one round earlier in the Champions League qualifier after defeating Palermo 3-2 in the Czech capital. The Italians were in control despite going down to an early goal by Wilfried Bony.
Massimo Maccarone levelled matters before half-time and from there on it seemed only a matter of time before their dominance paid dividends. However a rally from the Czechs in the second half saw them score twice in six minutes. Abel Hernandez gave the visitors hope in the last ten minutes but Sparta held on for a vital victory.
