Ludogorets leaves with a point from Olimpico

Ten years after the historic 1:0 win over Lazio at the Olimpico in the first 1/16 finals of the Europa League, Ludogorets once again do not back down against one of the strongest Italian teams and the current leader in the standings. This time, the match in the main phase of the second strongest European tournament ended without a winner – 0:0. Thus, the team from Razgrad, who played a masterful defense, won their second point in the tournament.

Lazio had the ball from the very beginning, but there were no scoring opportunities. It was not until the 22nd minute that Pedro escaped from the defense, overcame Bonnman, but closed the corner. The Spanish passed to Chauna, and he – to Noslin, who shot inaccurately. Then, Son made a mistake, but Bonnman came out foresight and cleared the ball. Logically, the Ludogorets players had concentrated their actions in defense, while in attack they relied mainly on the physicality of Rwan and the speed and technique of Erick Marcus. In the 37th minute, Bulgarian goalkeeper Hendrick Bonnman made a brilliant save from a strong shot by Boulaye Dia. The home team continued to press and were close to a goal in the 40th minute. After a defensive error, Boulaye Dia got into a clear position, but Bonnman managed again, and then Kurtulus cleared.
At the break, Lazio coach Marco Baroni made a triple substitution, bringing on Tati Castellanos, Lazzari and Isaksen, and taking off Boulaye Dia, Chauna and Luca Pellegrini. In the 55th minute, after a gradual attack, Aslack Von Witry put the ball on Chochev's head, whose shot went over the goal. Then, Pedro tried to see if Bonnman was careful, but the German caught it without problems. Lazzari also tried his luck, twice, but inaccurately. Adam Marusic shot strongly in the 70th minute, but Bonnman was again in his place.

Three minutes later, the hosts requested a penalty for a foul by Erick Marcus against the reserve Isaksen. Referee Duje Strukan did not call anything. He was called to review the situation on the VAR monitor, but in the end did not change his decision. Something that happens extremely rarely.

In the 86th minute, luck covered Ludogorets. Matteo Guendouzi fired a real projectile at the goal of Bonnman, with the ball hitting the crossbar. Shortly after, Jakub Piotrowski returned to the game for Razgrad, who had not played for more than a month due to hernia surgery. In the 91st minute, reserve Tati Castellanos tried to score with a technical execution, but did not find the target.

Ludogorets held on until the end and managed to stop the great series of the leader in the Europa League standings Lazio of seven consecutive wins, four of which in the second most powerful European tournament.