Košice dismantle Skalica in eight-goal thriller
Košice beat Skalica 4-2 in the Slovak Superliga's fourth round at Mestsky Stadion Skalica on Saturday. The visitors took control early and never looked back, turning a tight contest into a statement win on a pitch that cut up badly as the game wore on.
And here's the thing — it didn't stay tight for long. Madlenak gave Skalica the lead after four minutes, but Maras responded within fifteen to level things. Palumets then turned it on at twenty-two, and Riska's own goal just before the break pushed Košice ahead for good.
By then the match had opened up properly. Onyedika added a penalty at fifty-two after Simko's yellow, and Nonikashvili completed the scoring at fifty-nine. Skalica made changes — Gallovic and Palumets both came off at sixty-four — but the game was effectively over.
What stood out was the difference in how both sides approached the final third. Skalica kept possession at fifty-eight per cent and made 409 passes, but only created one big chance. Košice were sharper on the counter — 112 attacks to 76, and they converted that efficiency into four goals from eight shots on target.
To be fair, Skalica had been in good form beforehand. They'd beaten Žilina 3-1 and Ruzomberok 2-1 in their last two outings. Košice's recent matches told a different story — draws against Trenčín and Žilina, a heavy defeat away to Diósgyőri VTK. This result changes the picture.
Košice move into seventh with nine points from six games, while Skalica drop to eighth with eight points after seven matches. The visitors showed they can raise the tempo when they need to, and Skalica will need to tighten things up if they want to climb.