Ludogorets was close to their first win in the UEFA Europa League group phase. The champions performed great and nearly defeated Bayer Leverkusen. The game ended with a 1:1 score. Marcelinho and his teammates have three pointes overall after this game and the one against AEK.

Ludogorets were very active during the second half at ‘BayArena’ stadium. There was a shuffle and the champions allowed Weiser to make the score even which is why Ludogorets did not win. There were a few other situations for them to score another goal. The best was wasted by Swierczok just a minute before Marcelinho’s goal. The Polish player missed his chance when he was alone against the keeper.

The coach of Ludogorets Antoni Zdravkov formed a different team competition. Natanael had a penalty and Lukoki and Campanharo were injured. Marcelinho was the one who pushed the team forward when he entered the game in the 63rd minute when Ludogorets completely changed the way they play.

Both teams played good during the first half but there were no goal situations. The first attack with a goal attempt was created by the home team. Alario tried to score from approximately 20 meters but the ball went just a meter and a half outside the gate. Three Ludogorets attacks followed. Wanderson kicked the ball twice but it went over the crossbar both times. Paulo did the same in the 28th minute and his attempt was the best during the first half.

Schreck sent the ball out after he kicked it in the 48th minute. Renan saved a powerful kick by Wendell eight minutes later. Marcelinho replaced Paulo in the 63rd minute which was a good move. The player passed to Swierczok five minutes after that but the Polish player missed his chance. Marcelinho and Swierczok passed to each other in the next minute and Marcelinho was able to score perfectly. Wanderson had the chance to score in the 70th minute after a nice attack but he missed. Ten minutes later the home team created a dangerous attack which was ended by Terziev who saved what was probably a goal. Havertz tried to repeat the goal attempt but he sent the ball over the crossbar.

Bayer applied pressure and this resulted in a goal. They made the score even in the 85th minute. Cicinho blocked a pass with his hand and the referee decided there was a foul. Renan was able to kick the ball back after the following shot from the center of the field. Weiser reached the ball and scored from an impossible angle below the crossbar.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN - LUDOGORETS 1:1

0:1 Marcelinho (69')
1:1 Weiser (85')

LEVERKUSEN: Ozcan, Wendell, Retsos (34 – Baumgartlinger), Dragovic, Weiser, Schreck, (73 – Havertz), Arangis (61 – Bender), Paulinho, Bailey, Telin, Alario

LUDOGORETS: Renan. Terziev, Moti, Forster, Wanderson, Sasha (88 – Bakalov), Dyakov, Goralski, Cicinho, Paulo (63 – Marcelinho), Swierczok (83 – Nedyalkov)