2017–18 Slovak First Football League

The 2017–18 Slovak First Football League (known as the Slovak Fortuna Liga[4] for sponsorship reasons) was the 25th season of first-tier football league in Slovakia, since its establishment in 1993. MŠK Žilina were the defending champions, after winning their 7th Slovak championship.

Fortuna Liga
Season2017–18
Dates22 July 2017 – 19 May 2018
ChampionsSpartak Trnava
(1st title)
RelegatedPrešov
Champions LeagueSpartak Trnava
Europa LeagueDAC Dunajská Streda
Slovan Bratislava
Trenčín
Matches played202
Goals scored520 (2.57 per match)
Top goalscorerSamuel Mráz (21 goals)
Biggest home winŽilina 7–1 Senica
(18 August 2017)
Slovan 6–0 Žilina
(24 February 2018)
Biggest away winPrešov 0–7 Trenčín
(24 September 2017)
Podbrezová 1–8 Trenčín
(3 November 2017)
Highest scoringPodbrezová 1–8 Trenčín
(3 November 2017)
Highest attendance17,113 (Trnava-Trenčín)[1]
Lowest attendance106 (Nitra-Trnava)[2]
Average attendance 2317 [3]

Format changes

Starting from this season, the competition format was changed. The previous 33-match round robin structure was replaced by a regular season round of 22 games and a playoff round, where 12 teams are divided into two groups: championship group (top-6 teams after regular season) and relegation group (bottom 6 teams). The playoff round uses a 10-game round robin structure.

The top team in the championship group wins the league title and qualifies to next season's Champions League qualification; the runner-up and 3rd team obtain spots of next season's Europa League Qualification. The bottom team of the relegation group will be relegated to next season's 2. Liga and replaced by the 2. Liga winner. The second-bottom ranked team will play a two-leg relegation playoff with the runner-up of 2. Liga.

Should one of the top 3 teams wins of the 2017-18 Slovak Cup, Europa League qualification playoffs will be held among the 4th, 5th, 6th team in the championship group and the top team of the relegation round. The 4th team plays the top team of the relegation group and the 5th plays the 6th in the semifinals. Winners of the semifinals will play the final to determine the Europa League qualification spot. Europa League qualification playoff games will be one-leg and played at the home pitch of the higher-ranked team.[5]

Teams

A total of 12 teams were contesting the league, including 11 sides from the 2016–17 season and one promoted from the 2. liga.

Withdrawal of Spartak Myjava was confirmed on 21 December 2016. The withdrawn team was meant to be replaced initially by FC VSS Košice, but that team was rejected a promotion and went into bankruptcy. FC Nitra was promoted instead of Košice.

2017–18 Teams

Stadiums and locations
Location of teams in Fortuna Liga 2017–18
Team Home city Stadium Capacity 2016–17 season
AS Trenčín Trenčín Štadión na Sihoti 3,500 4th in Fortuna Liga
FK DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda Dunajská Streda MOL Aréna 9,901 7th in Fortuna Liga
FK Železiarne Podbrezová Podbrezová ZELPO Aréna 4,061 5th in Fortuna Liga
FK Senica Senica OMS Arena 5,070 9th in Fortuna Liga
MFK Zemplín Michalovce Michalovce Mestský futbalový štadión 4,440 8th in Fortuna Liga
MFK Ružomberok Ružomberok Štadión pod Čebraťom 4,817 3rd in Fortuna Liga
FC Nitra Nitra Stadium pod Zoborom 5,500 2nd in 2. Liga
1. FC Tatran Prešov Prešov NTC Poprad1 5,700 11th in Fortuna Liga
MŠK Žilina Žilina Štadión pod Dubňom 11,258 Champions
ŠK Slovan Bratislava Bratislava Pasienky 12,000 2nd in Fortuna Liga
FC Spartak Trnava Trnava Stadium Antona Malatinského 19,200 6th in Fortuna Liga
FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce Zlaté Moravce FC ViOn Stadium 4,000 10th in Fortuna Liga

1Tatran played their home matches in this season at NTC Poprad in Poprad while Tatran Stadium went under renovation.

AS Trenčín Dunajská Streda Podbrezová Michalovce
Štadión na Sihoti MOL Aréna
UEFA Stadium 		ZELPO Aréna Mestský futbalový štadión
Capacity: 3,500 Capacity: 9,901 Capacity: 4,061 Capacity: 4,440
FK Senica MFK Ružomberok MŠK Žilina Slovan Bratislava
OMS Arena
UEFA Stadium 		Štadión pod Čebraťom Štadión pod Dubňom
UEFA Stadium 		Pasienky
Capacity: 5,070 Capacity: 4,817 Capacity: 11,258 Capacity: 12,000
Spartak Trnava Tatran Prešov Zlaté Moravce FC Nitra
ŠAM - City Arena
UEFA Stadium 		NTC Poprad
UEFA Stadium 		Štadión FC ViOn Štadión pod Zoborom
Capacity: 19,200 Capacity: 5,700 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 5,500
|

Personnel and kits
Team President Manager Captain Kitmaker Shirt sponsor
AS Trenčín Tscheu La Ling Vladimír Cifranič Peter Kleščík Adidas MAGIC club
DAC Dunajská Streda Oszkár Világi Marco Rossi Marin Ljubičić macron Kukkonia
FO ŽP Šport Podbrezová Július Kriváň Marek Fabuľa Miroslav Viazanko Adidas Železiarne Podbrezová
FK Senica Vladimír Levársky Ton Caanen Blažej Vaščák hummel -
MFK Ružomberok Milan Fiľo Norbert Hrnčár Dominik Kružliak Adidas MAESTRO
MŠK Žilina Jozef Antošík Adrián Guľa Michal Škvarka Nike Preto
Slovan Bratislava Ivan Kmotrík Martin Ševela Boris Sekulić Adidas -
FC Nitra Jozef Petráni Ivan Galád Miloš Šimončič Jako -
Spartak Trnava Dušan Keketi Nestor El Maestro Lukáš Greššák Adidas ŽOS Trnava
ViOn Zlaté Moravce Karol Škula Juraj Jarábek Martin Chren Erreà ViOn
MFK Michalovce Ján Sabol Anton Šoltis Igor Žofčák Adidas ISDB
1. FC Tatran Prešov Miroslav Remeta Anton Mišovec Martin Luberda ATAK Dúha

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Replaced by Date of appointment
Spartak Trnava Miroslav KarhanEnd of contract28 May 2017[6]Pre-season Nestor El Maestro1 June 2017[7]
DAC Dunajská Streda Csaba LászlóEnd of contract9 June 2017[8] Marco Rossi11 June 2017[9]
FK Senica Miroslav MentelEnd of contract16 June 2017 Ivan Vrabec16 June 2017[10]
FK Senica Ivan VrabecReleased11 September 201712 Ladislav Hudec11 September 2017[11]
AS Trenčín Martin ŠevelaReleased12 September 201710 Vladimír Cifranič
Roman Marčok		12 September 2017[12]
1. FC Tatran Prešov Miroslav JantekReleased14 September 201710 Pavol Mlynár (interim)24 September 2017[13]
FK Železiarne Podbrezová Karol PraženicaReleased19 September 201711 Marek Fabuľa19 September 2017[14]
1. FC Tatran Prešov Pavol MlynárEnd of interim spell9 October 201711 Serhiy Kovalets9 October 2017[15]
ŠK Slovan Bratislava Ivan VukomanovićReleased30 October 2017[16]3 Martin Ševela30 October 2017
1. FC Tatran Prešov Serhiy KovaletsReleased24 January 2018[17]11 Anton Mišovec24 January 2018
FK Senica Ladislav HudecManager position8 February 2018[18]12 Ton Caanen8 February 2018

Regular season

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Spartak Trnava 22 16 2 4 34 16 +18 50 Qualification for the championship group
2 Slovan Bratislava 22 11 8 3 45 26 +19 41
3 DAC Dunajská Streda 22 10 9 3 29 20 +9 39
4 Žilina 22 12 1 9 42 35 +7 37
5 Trenčín 22 10 6 6 54 32 +22 36
6 Ružomberok 22 8 9 5 31 21 +10 33
7 Nitra 22 7 9 6 19 14 +5 30 Qualification for the relegation group
8 Zemplín Michalovce 22 6 6 10 18 25 −7 24
9 Podbrezová 22 6 2 14 19 37 −18 20
10 ViOn Zlaté Moravce 22 7 4 11 28 37 −9 25
11 Senica 22 3 5 14 17 42 −25 14
12 Tatran Prešov 22 3 5 14 13 44 −31 14
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head away goals scored; 5) Play-off.[19]

Results

Each team plays home-and-away against every other team in the league, for a total of 22 matches played each.

Home \ Away TRČ DAC POD SEN ZPM RUŽ ŽIL SLO NIT TRV TAT ZTM
Trenčín — 1–2 1–1 4–1 1–2 1–2 5–2 2–2 2–1 1–2 2–0 3–0
DAC Dunajská Streda 1–2 — 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–3
Podbrezová 1–8 0–2 — 1–0 1–0 1–3 2–4 1–1 1–0 1–2 2–0 3–0
Senica 1–2 0–2 1–0 — 1–1 0–3 4–1 1–1 0–1 1–3 1–0 0–1
Zemplín Michalovce 1–1 1–2 2–1 2–1 — 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–3 0–1 2–0
Ružomberok 3–3 1–1 3–0 4–0 2–1 — 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–2 3–1 1–1
Žilina 5–1 0–0 1–0 7–1 2–1 2–0 — 3–2 2–0 3–1 2–3 2–0
Slovan Bratislava 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–2 3–1 2–1 6–0 — 1–1 1–0 3–2 2–1
Nitra 1–1 3–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 — 0–1 2–0 1–0
Spartak Trnava 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–3 1–2 2–1 — 1–0 1–0
Tatran Prešov 0–7 0–0 0–2 2–2 1–0 0–0 0–1 1–5 0–4 0–2 — 1–1
ViOn Zlaté Moravce 1–4 2–3 1–0 3–0 0–1 2–1 2–0 3–2 2–2 1–4 4–1 —
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Championship group
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Spartak Trnava (C) 32 20 4 8 41 28 +13 64 Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round
2 Slovan Bratislava 32 17 8 7 58 37 +21 59 Qualification for Europa League first qualifying round
3 DAC Dunajská Streda 32 16 9 7 46 32 +14 57
4 Žilina 32 17 2 13 63 51 +12 53 Qualification for Europa League play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
5 Trenčín (O) 32 15 6 11 75 47 +28 51
6 Ružomberok 32 10 10 12 36 39 −3 40
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head away goals scored; 5) Play-off.[20]
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner.
Notes:
  1. As the winners of 2017–18 Slovak Cup (Slovan Bratislava) finished in the top three of the league, the last Europa League spot awarded through the league (first qualifying round) will be decided by play-offs among the teams finishing fourth to seventh.
Home \ Away TRČ DAC RUŽ ŽIL SLO TRV
Trenčín — 1–3 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–2
DAC Dunajská Streda 0–3 — 3–0 3–1 0–1 1–0
Ružomberok 2–1 0–4 — 1–2 1–0 0–0
Žilina 1–5 2–3 3–0 — 2–0 6–0
Slovan Bratislava 1–3 2–0 1–0 3–2 — 2–1
Spartak Trnava 0–2 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 —
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Relegation group
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
7 Nitra 32 11 12 9 33 29 +4 45 Qualification for Europa League play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
8 Zemplín Michalovce 32 11 8 13 35 34 +1 41
9 Podbrezová 32 11 5 16 29 43 −14 38
10 ViOn Zlaté Moravce 32 8 7 17 39 52 −13 31
11 Senica (O) 32 6 8 18 29 58 −29 26 Qualification for relegation play-offs
12 Tatran Prešov (R) 32 5 11 16 22 56 −34 26 Relegation to 2. Liga
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak), Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head away goals scored; 5) Play-off.[21]
(O) Play-off winner; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. As the winners of 2017–18 Slovak Cup (Slovan Bratislava) finished in the top three of the league, the last Europa League spot awarded through the league (first qualifying round) will be decided by play-offs among the teams finishing fourth to seventh.
Home \ Away POD SEN ZPM NIT TAT ZTM
Podbrezová — 3–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–0
Senica 1–0 — 0–2 0–1 0–0 3–1
Zemplín Michalovce 1–0 1–2 — 4–0 0–0 2–0
Nitra 0–0 5–2 1–3 — 3–2 1–0
Tatran Prešov 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 — 1–0
ViOn Zlaté Moravce 0–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 —
Source: Fortuna Liga (in Slovak)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Europa League play-offs

Teams placed between 4th and 7th position will take part in the Europa league play-offs. The best of them will play against the fourth-placed of the championship play-offs to determine the Europa League play-off winners. The winners will qualify for the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.

All times are UTC+2.

Semi-finals
MŠK Žilina5–0FC Nitra
 Report
Attendance: 1,699
Referee: Peter Ziemba
AS Trenčín4–2MFK Ružomberok
 Report
Attendance: 1,554
Referee: Pavol Chmura

Final
MŠK Žilina1–2 (a.e.t.)AS Trenčín
Kaša  65' Report  36', 99' Azango
Attendance: 3,056
Referee: Jozef Pavlík

Relegation play-offs

Team placed 11th in the relegation match will face 2nd team from 2. Liga 2017–18 to for two spots in the next season.

All times are UTC+2.

First leg
MFK Skalica2–1FK Senica
Sombat  23'
Majerník  45'		 Report Chacón  10'
Attendance: 2,137

Second leg
FK Senica1–0MFK Skalica
Kitambala  69' Report
Attendance: 1,752
Referee: Peter Ziemba

2–2 on aggregate. FK Senica won on away goal.

Season statistics

Hat-tricks
RoundPlayerForAgainstResultDateRef
1 Jakub MarešSlovan BratislavaTatran Prešov1–523 July 2017[24]
21 Aleksandar ČavrićSlovan BratislavaMŠK Žilina6–024 February 2018[25]
22 Antonio ManceAS TrenčínZl. Moravce1–43 March 2018[26]
30 Frank CastañedaFK SenicaZl. Moravce3–15 May 2018[27]

Clean sheets
As of 19 May 2018
Rank Player Club Clean
sheets[28]
1 Lukáš Hroššo FC Nitra 14
2 Patrik Macej DAC D.Streda 13
3 Martin Vantruba Spartak Trnava 11
Miloš Volešák Žilina
5 Martin Kuciak Podbrezová 10
6 Matúš Macík MFK Ružomberok 8
7 Matúš Kira Michalovce 7
8 Pavel Kováč Zl. Moravce 5
Michal Šulla Slovan
Igor Šemrinec Trenčín

Discipline
As of 19 May 2018

Player

Club

Awards

Player of the Month
MonthPlayerClubRef
July/August Lukáš HroššoFC Nitra[32]
September Erik JirkaSpartak Trnava[33]
October Samuel MrázMŠK Žilina[34]
Nov/Dec Erik PačindaDunajská Streda[35]
Feb/Mar Marvin EghoSpartak Trnava[36]
April Samuel MrázMŠK Žilina[37]
May Samuel MrázMŠK Žilina[38]

Top Eleven

Source:[39]

Top Eleven U-21

Source:[39]

Individual Awards

Manager of the season

Nestor El Maestro (Spartak Trnava)

Player of the Year

Boris Godál (Spartak Trnava)

Young player of the Year

Samuel Mráz (MŠK Žilina)

See also

References
  1. "FC Spartak Trnava - AS Trencin - 0 - 2". ulk.futbalnet.sk. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  2. "FC Nitra - FC Spartak Trnava - 0 - 1". ulk.futbalnet.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. "Fortuna liga". www.facebook.com.
  4. "Najvyššia súťaž zmení názov, Fortuna nahradí Corgoň". Profutbal.sk (in Slovak). 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  5. "Nový model futbalovej ligy schválený: Toto nás čaká už od budúcej sezóny (The New Format of Football League Approved: This is awaiting us Next Season)". sportky.sk (in Slovak). 14 March 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  6. "Karhan v Trnave končí, príde tréner z Bundesligy". www.sportinak.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  7. "FC Spartak Trnava - El Maestro: Skúsenosti z Bundesligy by som rád preniesol do Spartaka Trnava". www.spartak.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  8. "László v DAC skončil, nahradí ho Talian Rossi? - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. "Marco Rossi novým trénerom DAC-u - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. "V Senici tréner Vrabec, stopér Pillár odchádza do Maďarska - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  11. "Vrabec opúšťa Senicu, strieda ho Hudec - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  12. a.s., Petit Press. "Šok v Trenčíne! Ševela odvolaný z postu trénera". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  13. "Jantek v Prešove skončil, mužstvo dočasne povedie Mlynár - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  14. "Praženica končí na lavičke Podbrezovej, po piatich mesiacoch sa vracia Fabuľa - Webnoviny.sk". 19 September 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  15. "Sergij Kovalec sa vracia do Prešova! – 1.FC Tatran Prešov". www.1fctatran.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  16. "Slovan dokonal výmenu trénerov: Vukomanovič dostal padáka! Toto je náhrada". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  17. "Futbalový tréner Kovalec nebude pokračovať na lavičke Prešova". 24 January 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  18. "Zmeny v Senici, Hudeca nahradí na lavičke Caanen - ProFutbal.sk". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  19. "Super Liga 2017/2018 - Regular Season". Scoresway. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  20. "Super Liga 2017/2018 - Championship Round". Scoresway. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  21. "Super Liga 2017/2018 - Relegation Round". Scoresway. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  22. "FORTUNA LIGA - Najlepší kanonieri" (in Slovak). 30 July 2017.
  23. "Hráči - Štatistiky". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  24. "1. FC TATRAN Prešov - ŠK Slovan Bratislava futbal - 1 - 5". ulk.futbalnet.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  25. "ŠK Slovan Bratislava futbal - MŠK Žilina - 6 - 0". ulk.futbalnet.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  26. "FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce - Vráble - AS Trenčín - 1 - 4". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  27. "FK Senica - FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce - Vráble - 3 - 1". ulk.futbalnet.sk. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  28. "Brankári - Štatistiky". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  29. http://www.bart.sk, webdesign and software: bart sk s r o. "Fortuna liga | Únia ligových klubov". ulk.futbalnet.sk.
  30. "Tímy - Štatistiky". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  31. "Tímy - Štatistiky". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  32. "Hroššo druhým oceneným brankárom". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  33. "Jirkov triumf aj vďaka fanúšikom". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  34. a.s., Petit Press. "Skóroval v každom októbrovom zápase. Mráz sa stal Hráčom mesiaca". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  35. "Pačinda s pomocou fanúšikov zdolal Daniela, Jangu i Godála". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  36. "Zhoda odborníkov i fanúšikov: Najlepší bol Egho". Fortuna liga. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  37. "Hráč mesiaca: Mráz druhým dvojnásobným víťazom v histórii". Fortuna liga.
  38. "Hetrik na rozlúčku". Fortuna liga.
  39. "Vyhlásili najlepších hráčov sezóny. Anketu ovládol DAC, hviezdou večera kanonier Žiliny | ProFutbal.sk". profutbal.sk.
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