Ludogorets turned the tables on Botev (Plovdiv)

Ludogorets is a step closer to the ninth title in a row after a tough win over Botev (Plovdiv).

The coach Pavel Vrba chose an interesting team composition for the 2:1 win in Razgrad. Marcelinho was in charge of the attack.

The first goal situation happened in front of the guest team’s gate. Tchibota surprised Georgiev but the goalkeeper kicked the ball back. Botev scored in the 20^th minute but it was canceled because Vutov played with his hand. The referee Chinkov ruled a penalty kick in favor of Ludogorets after Rabotov and Tchibota collided. Chinkov overruled his own decision after consulting his colleagues. Dyakov almost scored in the 24^th minute but he sent the ball above the crossbar. Seconds later, Vutov scored again and the goal was canceled once more due to an offside situation. Bandalovski played with his hand in the 31^st minute but the referee decided there should not be a penalty kick in favor of Ludogorets. Cauly, Marcelinho, and Wanderson created a nice attack later but Rabotov put an end to it.

Ludogorets was close to scoring again after Cicinho passed the ball to Wanderson. Georgiev kicked it back but it made a ricochet in Wanderson’s body. The keeper saved miraculously. Wanderson missed again just seconds later. In the added time of the first half, Botev shocked the home team. Baltanov passed to Vutov who scored with his left foot and made the score 1:0.

Stoyanov saved a kick by Nedelev in the beginning of the second half. Ludogorets made the score even in the 57^th minute when Cicinhho sent the ball to Wanderson who scored easily. The home team almost added a second goal in the 64^th minute but the woodwork saved the guests. Dyakov was knocked down by Burbano immediately after that but no penalty kick was ruled. Keseru scored in the 73^rd minute but the goal was canceled because it was scored from outside the lines. Cauly missed a great situation in the 87^th minute after receiving the ball from Cicinho.

The home team reached the victory in the 90^th minute when Wanderson passed to Cauly. He sent the ball to Jorginho who scored with his head. This was Ludogorets’ 31^st consecutive game without a loss.

LUDOGORETS – BOTEV (PLOVDIV) 2:1

0:1 Vutov (45' + 1)
1:1 Wanderson(57')
2:1 Jorginho (90')

LUDOGORETS: Stoyanov, Nedyalkov, Cicinho, Terziev, Grigore, Anicet (73 – Keseru), Cauly (94 – Badji), Dyakov, Tchibota (72 – Jorginho), Marcelinho (84 – Bakalov), Wanderson )95 - Ikoko

BOTEV: Georgiev, Bandalovski, Nichev, Rabotov, Marin, Terziev, Burbano (67 – Shopov), Tonev, Nedelev (77 – Tonev), Vutov (89 – Bonev), Baltanov

Yellow cards: Grigore (Ludogorets); Burbano (Botev).