“Kristian Dimitrov converts from a second corner of the young match, assisted by Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo, to give Levski Sofia a shock early lead that would prove unassailable.”
Pivotal“A fractious end to the first half sees both Aldair and Ștefan Baiaram booked within the same minute, signalling the frustration building in the Craiova camp as Levski's lead held firm going into the break.”
“Everton Bala is booked just five minutes into the second half, piling further disciplinary pressure onto Craiova and reducing their margin for error as they pushed for an equaliser.”
“A final yellow card for Maicon deep in stoppage time underscored Craiova's desperate and increasingly ill-disciplined search for an equaliser that never came, as Levski held firm to seal the win.”
Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia pulled off a disciplined, defensively-minded victory over Universitatea Craiova in this Champions League qualifier, with Kristian Dimitrov's 8th-minute goal — headed home from a corner assisted by Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo — proving to be all the Bulgarian side needed. Despite being the team with less possession (43% to 57%) and fewer dangerous attacks, Levski were ruthlessly efficient, registering four shots on target to Craiova's solitary effort, with Craiova's goalkeeper forced into four saves compared to Levski's one. The Romanian side never truly threatened to find an equaliser despite dominating the ball for long stretches, and a wave of second-half substitutions from Craiova — six changes in total — suggested a team chasing the match without ever finding the cutting edge to make it count. For Levski, this result is a significant statement of European intent, while Craiova must reflect on a deeply wasteful attacking display that saw their possession advantage count for nothing.
How entertaining was this match?
MaiconYellow CardMaicon receives a yellow card.
Mazire Soula is on, and Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo is off.
Maicon receives a yellow card.
On Samuel Teles Pereira Nunes Silva, off Monday Etim.
David Kusso is on, and Everton Bala is off.
Cristian Baluta is substituted off for Anzor Mekvabishvili.
Heriberto Tavares comes on for Stefan Baiaram.
Corner awarded.
Alex Centelles is substituted for Armstrong Okoflex.
Substitution: Steven Nsimba comes on for Simon Elisor.
Corner awarded.
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card for Bala of Everton.
Gasper Trdin is on, and El Mehdi Moubarik is off.
First half ends with the score 1-0.
AldairYellow CardAldair Neves receives a yellow card.
Nicusor Bancu receives a yellow card.
Oleksandr RomanchukYellow CardYellow card issued to Oleksandr Romanchuk.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
assist: Serginho
Goal! Kristian Dimitrov scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Adam Ladeback.
Levski Sofia welcome Universitatea Craiova to Georgi Asparuhov Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie — but in an eerie silence, as a UEFA ban means no home supporters will be present. Both sides carry injury concerns into a clash where a narrow result could prove decisive heading into the second leg in Craiova next week.
