‘We really got it wrong’ – does European football need more balance?

Slovan’s entry into the Champions League last season was a proud moment – making their first appearance since independence in 1993 when they qualified as champions of the Czechoslovak First League.

Since businessman Ivan Kmutric bought Slovan in 2008, the team has once again become the dominant force in Slovakia, with sporting director Robert Vitek saying the aim is to become “like Bayern Munich in Germany, winning titles year after year”.

“The key to financial sustainability is playing one of the main stages of the European Cups,” explains Vittek. “From Slovakia, you have to win a title to have a real chance.”

Playing in the Champions League has earned Slovan around £18m in television revenue as well as increased crowds, commercial deals and visibility – as he has hosted Manchester City and AC Milan and traveled to Bayern and Atletico.

“Maybe with time, we will appreciate the kind of success brought by bringing such clubs to Bratislava,” Vitek says.

“We didn’t get any points, but we represented Slovakia well on the European stage and we can be proud of that.”

In order for Slovan to reach the league stage, it had to pass three qualifying rounds, the first Slovak team to do so since Žilina in 2010.

“We can be realistic and rational with this kind of topic,” Vitek says when asked if there should be a more achievable path.

“There is a champions’ path for clubs like us, as there is always a way for clubs from some of the smaller leagues to reach the main stage. However, it is difficult.”