Ludogorets lost their second Group J match. Lask won with a 4:3 score. This loss will make things tough for the Bulgarian team.
The coach Genchev replaced the typical 4-2-3-1 player scheme and decided to use 4-3-3 because of the attackers that are currently unavailable – Marin, Keseru, and Despodov.
Balic outplayed Cicinho and scored in the second minute. Iliev saved what was nearly a second goal for LASK. Mishorl passed to Gruber seconds later and he scored for 2:0.
Tekpetey stole the ball minutes after that and passed to Santana who later sent it to Manu. He scored easily and LASK tried to catch up seconds later. However, Filipovic failed to make the score 3:1.
Ludogorets was close to making the score even five minutes later. The players created an attack and Manu tried to score but a LASK defender kicked it out. The home team added a goal four minutes later. Raguz was not covered by Verdon and made the score 3:1.
Genchev replaced Badji with Oliveira as soon as the second half began. Gruber almost scored but Iliev was saved by a ricochet. Balic kicked the ball seconds later and it went into Iliev’s gate after a ricochet in Verdon’s body. Gruber had another chance to score later but sent the ball above the crossbar.
Ludogorets added another goal in the 67th minute when Manu made zero mistakes. LASK lost a player in the 73rd minute but Ludogorets won the right to a penalty kick. The reason was Grgic’s attempt to block Manu’s goal attempt with his hand. Manu added his third goal from the penalty point.
Ludogorets was close to scoring a couple of times but the game ended with no new goals scored.
LASK - LUDOGORETS 4:3
1:0 Balic (2')
2:0 Gruber (11')
2:1 Manu (15')
3:1 Raguz (35')
4:1 Verdon (56') – own goal
4:2 Manu (67')
4:3 Manu (73') – penalty kick
LASK: Schlager, Filipovic, Bisinger, Mihoral, Balic (62 – Egestein), Gruber (62 – Goiginger), Trauner, Ranftl, Raguz, Andrade, Grgic
LUDOGORETS: Iliev, Cicinho, Moti, Verdon, Nedyalkov, Santana, Badji (53 – Oliveira), Yankov (Tchibota), Anicet, Tekpetey (88 – Ikoko), Manu
Yellow cards: Bisinger, Mikoral, Grgic (LASK); Moti, Badji, Tekpetey (Ludogorets).
Red card: Grgic (LASK).