Ludogorets lost 1:4 from Ajax

Ludogorets lost 1:4 against Ajax. Mohamed Kudus scored a hat trick and Brian Broby added a goal. The honorable goal for the Eagles was scored by Olivier Verdon from the penalty spot. Thus, unless there is a miracle in the second leg in Amsterdam, Ajax will play in the Europa League groups and Ludogorets - in those of the Conference League.

Ludogorets coach Ivaylo Petev opted for a 4-3-3 formation. The teenager of Amsterdam Sergio Padt started in the goal. Aslak von Witry, Noah Sonko Sundberg, Olivier Verdon and Marcel Heister started ahead of him. The three in the middle of the field were Claude Gonsalves, Jakub Piotrowski and the young Ivan Yordanov. Rwan Cruz led the attack, supported on the wings by captain Kiril Despodov and Bernard Tekpetey.

In the composition of Ajax, the star Mohamed Kudus caught the attention. Kudus started as a starter alongside other big names such as Steven Bergwijn, Steven Berghaus and centre-forward Brian Broby.

It was Kudus who opened the scoring in Razgrad. In the 16th minute, Bernard Tekptey lost to Rensch on the edge of the penalty area. The ball was passed immediately by Kudus, who left no chance for Sergio Padt with his left foot. Just a few seconds later, Ajax took a 2-0 lead. Kudus was right again. Bergwine received in the box, cut back for Taylor, who elegantly led Kudus and the Ghanaian had no problem scoring.

After the double blow in just 2 minutes, Kiril Despodov tried to return a goal by making a good break, but at the cost of injury, a great split was made by Rensh. In the 26th minute Ludogorets was very close to scoring. After a corner kick Ivan Yordanov found the completely uncovered Aslak von Witry, who shot from the air, but the ball went inches wide of the goal.

In the 40th minute Brian Brobie made it 3:0. He received a cross from the left from Owen Weindal, Sonko Sundberg failed to clear and Broby headed the ball between the legs of Sergio Padt.

Ludogorets could have reduced the deficit at the start of the second half when new substitute Dominik Yankov brought Rwan alone against the Ajax keeper, but the shot was saved.

In the counterattack, Mohamed Kudus completed his hat-trick. This became after a break through the reserve Borges and a pass to his Ghanaian teammate.

Despite the huge deficit, the hosts again looked at Gorter's goal, but the keeper saved Bernard Tekpetey's shot. There were more chances for Ludogorets, but they were not realized by Ciao Vidal and Jakub Piotrowski.

That's how it got to the 67th minute. Then Spas Delev shot at the goal and Hato played with his hand. Behind the ball in the absence of Kiril Despodov stood Olivier Verdon, who did not leave any chances to Gorter - 1:4.

Shortly before the end, substitute Rick Jhonathan had a chance to threaten Ajax's goal, but missed the target.

In the continuation of the match Delev crossed well from a direct free kick but Piotrowski and Naressi missed.