The senior coach of Ludogorets Zahari Sirakov demonstrated optimism before the first match with Petrocub from the Europa League playoffs.

"We watched several matches of the Moldovans. A team that likes to play football, to control the ball. After this match with Qarabag we tried to lift the boys emotionally. We kind of succeeded. You could see in the first half of the match with Levski that there was some tension in the players. This match gives us extra confidence for the upcoming match. The team is training super well at the moment. I think everything will be fine," said Sirakov.

"I also thanked the management after the match with Levski. Here I will make my debut in an international match. I hope it is successful. I wouldn't say there's tension with me. And as a competitor I have played a lot of derbies and tough matches. Now as a coach, yes I am on a different level, but I am very calm knowing that I have very good players. It's an honor for any coach to lead these guys,” he said.

"My style has always been to control the ball, to play aggressively forward, to react immediately when losing the ball, to dominate all the time on the pitch, which goes to a club like Ludogorets. The domestic championship is one thing, but the European tournaments are a whole other level. It's a pleasure for me and I'm looking forward to the upcoming match. Moldovans play very compactly. They have a similar system as Levski with 5 defenders, 3 in the middle and 2 forwards, but they don't play as directly as Levski. We have analyzed them well. We hope our team can do it in a perfect way and get a good lead before the second leg. There are no weak teams in the European tournaments anymore," said the coach of Ludogorets.

He was also asked if he had any hope of remaining as a permanent coach if he qualified for the Europa League. "Everyone has some hopes, but as soon as I took this post, the leadership of Ludogorets explained to me what the situation was. I'm here to give my best because I've always been a maximalist. We are preparing match by match," he added.

PFC Ludogorets announces to all its fans who will watch live the first leg of the Europa League play-offs against Moldovan champions Petrocub on Thursday (August 22) at 21:00, that on the same day the Huvepharma Arena stadium opens at 19:00 h. The club reminds that tickets are currently being sold at the club base in Razgrad, as well as online at https://tickets.ludogorets.com . On the day of the match (Thursday), the ticket office on Vasil Levski street opens as well, with working hours from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The club urges fans to arrive at the stadium early to ease the entrance regime.

Ludogorets reports that intoxicated fans, with weapons, dangerous objects, pyrotechnics, lighters, bottles, as well as bottles of perfume and deodorant, will not be allowed at Huvepharma Arena. Racist chants as well as the use of lasers from the stands during the match are absolutely prohibited. PFC Ludogorets reminds that all supporters are subject to a thorough check at the entrances, and prohibited items will be confiscated.

Those attending with persons under the age of 18 must submit a completed guardian declaration. These are handed out in person when buying a ticket. If necessary, a link can be used, which is located in the online ticket purchase portal https://tickets.ludogorets.com , as well as on the main page of the club's official website www.ludogorets.com .

The official press conference of Ludogorets before the first match of the Europa League playoffs with Petrocub will be held on Wednesday (August 21) at 1:30 pm at the Huvepharma Arena stadium. The head coach of the Eagles Zahari Sirakov and one football player will take part in the briefing.

Official practice of the thirteen-time champions on Wednesday starts at 19.30 at the club base and will be open in the first 15 minutes.

Petrocub will hold a training session on Wednesday at the Huvepharma Arena stadium at 19:00. Half an hour earlier, the coach of the Moldovan team will give a press conference.