Žilina vs Trnava: Niké League Playoff Match Report

Žilina and Spartak Trnava played to a 2-2 draw in a Niké Liga match on Sunday, leaving both teams trailing league-leading Slovan Bratislava by two points. Michal Faško scored his fifth goal of the season for Žilina, tying him for the league lead.

The match, played at Žilina, saw the home side take the lead twice, only for Trnava to respond each time. Patrik Ilko and Faško found the net for Žilina, while Trnava’s goals came from Martin Procházka and Hilary Gong.

The result leaves both Žilina and Trnava with 16 points, two behind Slovan Bratislava. Trnava sits second in the table due to a superior goal difference, while Žilina is third, having played one more game than their rivals.

Žilina started brightly, taking the lead in the 23rd minute through Ilko. Bari delivered a cross from the left, which Ilko converted. The home side continued to press, and extended their advantage in the 69th minute when Faško scored, bringing his season tally to five.

However, Trnava responded quickly, Procházka scoring three minutes later with a well-placed volley from outside the box. The visitors then pushed for an equalizer, and found it in the 85th minute through Gong.

The late goal ensured Trnava secured a point on the road, and maintained their position near the top of the Niké Liga table. Žilina will be disappointed to have dropped points after leading twice, but remain firmly in the title race.

The match was played in front of a crowd of 4,261 at Žilina’s stadium. The starting lineups for Žilina were Belko, Pališčák, Minárik, Narimanidze, Kopásek, Káčer, Adang, Bari, Faško, Ilko, and Ďatko. Substitutions included Hranica, Florea, Prokop, and Kaša.

Trnava’s starting eleven consisted of Frelih, Koštrna, Nwadike, Stojsavljevič, Holík, Procházka, Moistsrapišvili, Jureškin, Škrbo, Paur, and Mikovič. Substitutions made by Trnava included Gong, Chorcheli, Kudlička, and Taiwo.

The game saw yellow cards issued to Stojsavljevič, Chorcheli, and Mikovič of Trnava. Late in the match, Trnava made substitutions bringing on Patrick Karhan and Hilary Gong, while Žilina responded with changes of their own.

The draw extends Trnava’s unbeaten run against Žilina, and highlights the competitiveness of the Niké Liga. Both teams will look to build on this result as the season progresses, with Slovan Bratislava remaining the team to beat.

In a separate match earlier in the season, on September 28, 2025, Žilina lost 0-1 at home to Spartak Trnava. This latest draw represents a positive step for Žilina after that earlier defeat.

The match also saw a significant moment for Michal Faško, who continues to lead the league in scoring. His performance will be crucial for Žilina’s hopes of challenging for the title.

The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating chances. The draw reflects the balance of play, and leaves the title race wide open. Žilina will need to improve their consistency if they are to close the gap on Slovan Bratislava.

Trnava, meanwhile, will be pleased with their resilience and ability to come back from behind. Their strong defensive record will be key to their success this season.

The next round of fixtures in the Niké Liga will see Žilina travel to face a challenging opponent, while Trnava will host a team looking to climb the table. Both teams will be aiming to secure three points and maintain their position in the top half of the league.