Ludogorets outplayed, but did not win against Arda

Ludogorets failed to win against Arda - 0:0. The champions created 23 goal-scoring chances, but did not manage to score.

After 224 days the Eagles captain Anton Nedyalkov returned. He suffered complications from an ankle injury, but that's all in the past. The 30-year-old defender started as a starter in the middle of the defense. Another expected in the group was Bernard Tekeptey, whose suspension expired, and Kwadwo Duah also started on the bench.

The first clean opportunity was for Ludogorets in the 4th minute. After a shuffle in the Arda penalty area, the ball fell to Mounir Chouiar, whose shot went close to Anatoly Gospodinov's right post. Seconds later, Mounir also shot from a free kick, but again missed the goal. The hosts continued to press and for one scored the odd goal after Arda Gospodinov's keeper failed to play the ball after Rick got in front of him and let it go behind him. Fortunately for the goalkeeper, it did not go out.

In the 13th minute, Umar Sakho headed a cross from a free kick, but straight into the hands of Simon Sluga. Abubakar Tungara then did the same, heading in again from a cross from a free kick.

In the 35th minute, Caio Vidal made a good break from the left, the ball reached Piotrowski, whose shot was blocked. Then, Rick tried his luck, but also inaccurately.

At the beginning of the second half, Arda made a good counterattack, but with a bad finish. Ludogorets responded with a breakthrough from Caio Vidal and a sharp cross, after which his teammate did not play the ball. In the 57th minute, Ivaylo Petev received bad news after Son collapsed on the field. He was replaced by Georgi Terziev and Anton Nedyalkov moved to his usual position as left back.

In the 67th minute Ivaylo Petev, dissatisfied with his team's performance, made a triple substitution, putting Spas Delev, Bernard Tekpetey and Kwadwo Duah on the field, and replacing Mounir, Caio Vidal and Rwan.

Only 180 seconds later Spas Delev fouled Preslav Borukov. After the cross, Arda got into a clear scoring position, with Plamen Krachunov shooting a header, but it was off target. In the 76th minute, Spas Delev headed the first accurate shot at the goal of Anatoly Gospodinov, who intervened brilliantly. At the following corner, Anton Nedyalkov shoots powerfully, but it is out. Kwadwo Duah's shot followed, also inaccurate.

In the 85th minute Todor Nedelev made a good free kick, but Anatoly Gospodinov was in his place again. 120 seconds later, El Mami Tetah broke through from the right and shot very well with his left foot, but Simon Sluga's right post turned out to be his helper as well. The last chance in the match was for Ivan Kokonov, who shot from a free kick, but over the goal.