Ludogorets coach Ante Simundza revealed his expectations for the first match with Anderlecht from the playoffs to the 1/8-finals of the Conference League.

"I expect a very competitive game because we will face the biggest team in Belgium, and in the knockout phase. We think match by match and I want us to be best organized in the upcoming meeting," he began. "It is very important not to think about Anderlecht's problems off the pitch. We have to think only about ourselves and how we will perform. The only thing we know is that Anderlecht is a very big team and what is happening with them is not an advantage for us," added the Slovenian.

"I said that Anderlecht is generally the biggest team in Belgium, traditions matter. Are they important players of European football? Every club gets into a crisis sometimes, it's normal. What we have to be is to be smart. We have met big teams during training, but Anderlecht plays in a different way. We must be ready. All the players I can count on are ready and available. Even Pipa Avila. He will be ready and will be on the bench," said the coach.

"We will be without three suspended players - Nedyalkov, Verdon and Piotrowski. But the others are ready to play and I believe they will be useful. They have qualities and that is why they are part of Ludogorets. I believe they can do it in this game. We are all together," Simundza said.

"The Bulgarian cup is our main goal, but this does not mean that we will be relaxed against Anderlecht. We are participating in 3 competitions and want to compete in all tournaments. I want us to win every single game we play," concluded Simundza.

Kiril Despodov commented on the match with Anderlecht at the official press conference.

"Everyone in the dressing room is ready. We love these matches, the European stage. We played good matches in the Europa League, and now we have to consolidate them in the Conference League. The most important thing is how we will perform and how we will approach Anderlecht. We will act very seriously," said Despodov.

"The opponents in Turkey were great, the beat over Crvena Zvezda and the draw with Shakhtar Donetsk gave us confidence. We competed with these big teams. In the Europe League we showed that we can compete with big European teams like Roma and Betis. We know what kind of team Anderlecht is, we are well prepared and we know what awaits us," added Despodov.

"It is an advantage for Anderlecht that they have been playing in the league for a long time. But we have made great preparations, we are ready. The players missing due to suspensions and injuries really help a lot. But the coach said rightly that the boys who take their places have qualities and I believe they will do to the best of their ability. But the suspended and injured will be missed, undoubtedly, because when they are on the field, they leave their hearts there," concluded Despodov.

Ludogorets informs all fans who will be watching the Conference League knockout stage match against Anderlecht on Thursday (February 16th) at 22:00, under favorable conditions for this time of year, that the Huvepharma Arena is opening doors on the same day at 8:00 pm. According to the weather forecast, the temperatures during the match will be positive and there will be excellent conditions for football as well.

Ludogorets also reports that intoxicated fans, with weapons, dangerous objects, pyrotechnics, lighters, bottles, as well as bottles of perfume and deodorant, will not be allowed at Huvepharma Arena. Racist chants, as well as the use of lasers from the stands during the match, are absolutely prohibited. Ludogorets reminds that all supporters are subject to a hard check at the entrances, and prohibited items will be confiscated.

LUDOGORETS WILL STRICTLY WATCH FOR CONGESTION ON THE ROADS DURING THE MATCH AND WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO AVOID THIS.

Anderlecht fans will be accommodated in block 1 of the guest sector. Supporters wearing guest team labels will not be allowed in the home fans' sectors.

Tickets are currently selling at the club base in Razgrad, as well as online at https://tickets.ludogorets.com/ . The club reminds that on the match day, the ticket office on Vasil Levski street will also be open from 11.00 am until the start of the match.

Ludogorets reminds that attendees with persons under 18 years of age must submit a completed guardian declaration. These are handed out in person when buying a ticket. They can also be downloaded from the main page of the club's official website www.ludogorets.com .

The police in Razgrad announces that on February 16th from 7:30 pm cars will not be allowed on Vasil Levski streets from the intersection with Knyaz Boris blvd. to Gavril Krastevich street, Veterinarna, Cherno more and Severen boulevard.

Fans from other towns and cities who have purchased tickets for the match can use the designated parking lots next to the Middle School Dormitory, next to the Central Post Office, next to the Central Hotel and at Tovarna piazza on Strandzha street.

The official press conference of Ludogorets before the match with Anderlecht from the Conference League will be held on February 15th at 1:30 pm at the Huvepharma Arena stadium. Coach Ante Simundza and Kiril Despodov will take part in the briefing. The official training of Ludogorets on the same day starts at 17:30 at the club base.

Anderlecht's press conference on Wednesday starts at 6:15 pm and the training session an hour later at the Huvefarma Arena stadium.