“Ludogorets” visits the Italian giant “Lazio” in a meeting of the fifth round of the main phase of the Europa League.
The match was at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and the referee was the Croatian Duje Strukan.
Before that, the Bulgarian champions had only one point from their first four games and were in 34th place in the standings out of a total of 36 teams.
At the same time, “Lazio” was the only one with four wins from four games, fully active and at the top of the table with 12 points. The Rome club have also performed strongly at home this season, trailing leaders Napoli by just one point after 13 rounds in Serie A.
In February 2014 the Romans and “Ludogorets” played in the then UEFA Cup, with the Bulgarian champions beating 1:0 in Rome, and in Sofia in the second leg they drew 3:3 with a goal in the last minute.
With a perfect organization in defense, the people of Razgrad played their visit to Rome smartly, and coach Igor Jovičević preferred a 3-5-2 formation that worked for him.
The Italians had quite a few shots on the Bulgarian goal, but they were mainly from medium and long distance, and at the end of the match, Matteo Genduzzi aimed at the crossbar of “Ludogorets”, which was also the most dangerous position in front of Hendrik Bonman.
Thus, after this draw, there is no longer a faultless team in the Europa League.
“Ludogorets” remains in 34th place with already two points, and “Lazio” remains the temporary leader with 13, but can be displaced from this position.
Here are the starting lineups of both teams:
Lazio: Christos Mandas, Adam Marusic, Patrick, Samuel Gigo, Luca Pelegrini, Mateo Guendouzi, Matias Vecino, Lum Chauna, Boulay Dia, Pedro Rodriguez, Tijani Noslin.
Ludogorets: Hendrik Bonman, Aslak von Vitry, Edwin Kurtulush, Dinish Almeida, Son, 23. Deroy Duarte, 30. Pedro Naresi /c/, 14. Denny Gruper, Ivaylo Chochev, Eric Markush, Ruan Seko.