Ludogorets defeated 1:0 Zalgiris

Ludogorets outplayed Zalgiris and dominated the entire match, but took the win with only a single goal in the first Europa League playoff. The rematch will be in Vilnius next week. Tatomirovic’s own goal determined the win in the second minute. One of Ludogorets’ owners, Georgi Domuschiev, watched the match live.

After the goal in the second minute, Ludogorets showed a high pace. Tiago received the ball from Despodov and tried to score in the 10^th minute, but the gatekeeper saved. Despodov sent the ball right into the beam of Zalgiris’ gate next. Despodov passed the ball to Nedyalkov later, and the latter also hit the woodwork. After a couple of other missed situations, the closest one happened in the 29^th minute. Delev passed the ball to Despodov with his heel, and the latter almost shattered the woodwork of Zalgiris’ gate.

The guest team picked up the pace after the break but did not manage to create a lot of situations. The only one they pulled off was not even close. Tiago tried to score in the 60^th minute, but the ball went out. Nedyalkov prevented a possible goal in the 64^th minute. Cicinho also tried to score in the 74^th minute, but the gatekeeper intervened. Despodov received a yellow card in the 87^th minute because he allowed a penalty in the center of the pitch, meaning that he will not play in the rematch. The player failed to score in the last goal situation in the 99^th minute. Kazlauskas’ two yellow cards also mean he will not play in the rematch.

The young Petar Georgiev debuted in an international match.