Yaya Touré praises Slovan Bratislava's derby win ahead of Roma clash

Source reporting: 18 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

ŠK Slovan Bratislava secured a convincing 3-0 victory over rivals Spartak Trnava in the 11th round of the Niké Liga. The result served to correct recent poor form and provided a significant psychological lift for the squad. Head coach Yaya Touré described the win as a major relief for both himself and the players following a series of difficult performances in domestic and European competitions.

Touré emphasized that his team dominated the encounter and fully deserved the three points. He praised the players' attitude and preparation, noting that they were superior to their opponents throughout the match. The former Manchester City midfielder expressed satisfaction with the performance, highlighting the positive atmosphere in the dressing room after the final whistle.

The focus now shifts immediately to the Champions League, where Slovan is set to face AS Roma in Italy. Touré acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming fixture but stated that the derby victory provides a positive foundation. The team must travel to Rome for another challenging test in a congested schedule that requires careful management of player fitness.

Preparation for the Roma match has been complicated by injuries to key attackers. Captain Andraž Šporar missed the derby due to a high fever, while forward Roman Čerepkai was sidelined with back pain. Touré explained that Čerepkai’s issue originated from a kick received during a previous match against VfB Stuttgart, forcing the staff to give him time to recover.

This match marked Touré’s first experience in the historic Slovak derby. Despite the away setting, he enjoyed the full stadium and the intensity of the rivalry. However, he noted that the nature of modern football allows little time to celebrate success, as the team must quickly prepare for the next demanding fixture in Europe.