“We hope that the winning spree will continue. I have no doubt that this is going to be a tough game. Braga have already shown their qualities and, in my opinion, they are a very strong team. They have five wins and one even score in their last six matches.

They are playing a championship, which is hard to be described as stronger than our own. However, Portugal has three teams playing in the Champions League group phase, and this shows their championship’s level. We cannot speak about underestimation or confidence”, said Dimitrov.

Dimitrov also spoke about the playing manner of the competitor: “I think that Braga has the same game style every time, which is very well developed and clean. All the matches I have watched in their championship show me the same style, which I believe will be applied in our game against them. It is hard for me to tell whether there will be any differences here, but we will try to come up with a tactical surprise. The match will show if that will be successful of not. I hope we win. Even if we change our game plan, I am not going to comment on it now.

I can define the game as very hard, just like the previous one. The home game will not be any different. We do not have any problems with the players, and in addition, we have Misidjan on our disposal now – he did not play in the previous game.

Ludogorets played many matches recently, so there were questions about how much has the team recovered. Judging by the results, it seem we can recover quickly. However, this is no easy task. It is extremely difficult to recover after serious physical exhaustion. The medical staff is doing a fantastic job. We have watched all the games Braga played in after the match against us, and that is why I am convinced they stick to their game plan.”

When asked by a Portuguese journalist about who has the advantage, Dimitrov responded: “I believe that there is 50/50 chance. The one team that allows less room for mistake will win. Concentration is also important, as well as luck and chance.

I have a habit of now unveiling the team formation. I have the idea in my head, but there are also a few dilemmas.

Ludogorets will visit CSKA-Sofia in the game for the quarter finals of the Bulgarian Cup tournament. Dimitrov’s comment was: It is a normal draw result, I accept this fact. There is no doubt if it is easy or hard. We have to play against every other team if we want to win the Cup. If you ask me, it would be better to play at home, but this is decided by the draw. Nevertheless, we go out and play the game, I am not worried by anything.

When we were setting goals in the beginning, we agreed to play on three sides – for the championship, for the Cup and for Europa League. We shall see how successful it will be, but our desire is to put in maximum effort in every match”. 

The Ludogorets captain Svetoslav Dyakov spoke for the media a day before the so important Europa League game against Sporting Braga. The Bulgarian champion will take part in the direct eliminations if they win this match.

“We know what to expect from tomorrow’s game, we know our competitor well and we have nothing to worry about. Our goal is to take the win, although as I said earlier, it will be extremely hard for us because of the other team’s qualities. We are not afraid to strive to be number one in our group and that is why we are comfortable with winning here.

I still keep my opinion about the group member being equal. The small details will be crucial. There are no favorites in the group or in the separate matches. The one team who is more consistent and makes fewer mistakes will continue after leaving this hard group”, said Dyakov.

A Portuguese radio reporter asked him to defy the chances of the two teams – whether they are 50/50 or 60/40 in favor of Ludogorets: “We have a good chance of winning, but here we are talking about two teams playing quality football. One of them has to have a bigger desire to win, and has to allow fewer mistakes, and will be victorious. Our team’s main players are defined on the day of the match; we have neither resident players, nor replacements. Everyone knows that if a certain player is chosen, he will give his best effort. The Head coach is the only one who can determine which players will be the main 11.” 

PFC Ludogorets would like to inform the fans, who will be attending live the Europa League group phase match against Braga on Thursday (2nd of November) at 8:00PM, that “Ludogorets Arena” stadium will be open at 6:00PM the same day. Tickets are sold at the club base in Razgrad. The cash desks at the stadium will be open only on Thursday at 6:00PM except the sector V cash desk, which will be opened at 3:30PM. 

PFC Ludogorets invites everyone to come earlier in order to avoid crowding at the entry gates. The club will apply all necessary precautions to avoid this. We kindly ask everyone to follow the guidance of the police and the staff members. Entrance to the stadium is possible only through turnstiles on the entry gates. 

Fans in drunken state or those carrying dangerous items, weapons, pyrotechnics, lighters, bottles or deodorants will not be allowed on “Ludogorets Arena” stadium. Racist shouts and usage of lasers are totally forbidden. Every attendant will be thoroughly searched at the entry gates and the items not allowed will be taken away.

All the fans are advised to sit on their specific seats, noted on the tickets.

PFC Ludogorets will hold their official press conference before the home game against Braga. The press conference will start at 12:00AM on Wednesday (1st of November) at the media zone of “Ludogorets Arena”. The coach Dimitar Dimitrov and the team captain Svetoslav Dyakov will participate. The official practice session of the champions will be later the same day – at 5:00PM at the club base and will be open for media attendance during the first 15 minutes.

The team of Braga will arrive in Bulgaria on 1st of November with a charter flight from Porto to Varna. The whole group is expected to arrive at Varna Airport around 3:30PM. The official Braga press conference will start at 7:30PM at the stadium, and the practice session – half an hour later. 

The game between the two teams is on Thursday (2nd of November) at 8:00PM at “Ludogorets Arena” stadium.