Bournemouth defeated Sparta Prague 3-1 on Thursday to keep their perfect Europa League record and register a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions, according to BBC. The result in Prague extends a run the club has not managed since November 2014.
Manager Marco Rose told TNT Sports that the away win over a strong opponent was a positive sign for his squad, especially after his side missed a penalty and conceded a well-taken goal during a difficult first period. He said he made eight changes to the starting line-up because the players needed to be prepared for the challenge Sparta posed.
Why it matters
The win keeps Bournemouth unbeaten in the Europa League this season and marks their longest winning sequence in more than a decade. Rose described the streak as a significant accomplishment but warned that his team cannot afford to relax, noting that opponents are now trying to beat them and that any hint of complacency would put them in difficulty.
Adams, speaking to TNT Sports, said the run reflects hard work rather than luck. He pointed to the depth of the squad, saying it was valuable to give other players an opportunity during a schedule that has the team playing every three days.
Half-time adjustments and a bench that delivers
Rose said his instructions at the interval were about being more clinical and sharper in the counter-press. He asked the players to remain calm and raise the tempo of the game, and he felt they carried that out well.
The manager singled out Evanilson, who came off the bench to score. Rose said the forward is a pleasure to watch and an important member of the team, adding that knowing such quality is available among the substitutes gives him reassurance as a coach.
Adams said Evanilson is in outstanding form and that his finishing in matches is the product of extra work after training every day. The midfielder said the team is confident the striker will find the net whenever he gets the ball near the box. According to BBC, Evanilson has now scored six goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions and has found the net in three away games in a row for the first time.
Adams, who also scored, said the victory mattered more to him than his own goal, though he was pleased to contribute.
A mentality shift after Chelsea
Adams linked the current form to a 5-1 defeat by Chelsea, which he said still stings and which the squad does not want to experience again. He said the team turned a page after that result and has looked more mature since, citing the way they defend and their determination to deny opponents time and space.
He said the winning mentality has become infectious, with players in and out of the starting line-up pushing each other in training. That competition, in his view, is feeding the team's success.
Rose echoed the need for focus, saying the squad must stay alert and sharp to make the most of its momentum.
Bournemouth's attention now turns to maintaining the standard Adams described as the run continues.
