Ludogorets let Slavia slip away

Ludogorets failed to beat Slavia in Razgrad – 1:1. The “Whites” took the lead as early as the 29th second. Kristiyan Balov broke through on the left and found Isaac Sole, who sent the ball into Hendrik Bonmann’s net. In the 7th minute, Anton Nedyalkov tried a long-range shot, but without success. Ten minutes later, Caio Vidal had a chance to equalize, but from a clean position he failed to hit the target. Another dangerous moment followed in front of the visitors’ goal. Petar Stanic received the ball from Pedro Naressi and fired powerfully, but Levi Ntumba saved. At the end of the first half, the “Whites” created an excellent counterattack started by Ivan Minchev, continued through Kristiyan Balov, and finished by Yanis Germouche. However, the Algerian failed to beat Bonmann.

In the 49th minute, Chochev shot very hard, but straight into Ntumba’s hands. Another miss followed – by Nahmias, who headed a cross from Son, but off target. The home side’s pressure continued, and after a looping cross the ball landed on the crossbar, with Ntumba also intervening. In the 54th minute, the “Eagles” made a huge miss. Stanic and Chochev played a one-two, with the Serb ending up one-on-one with Slavia’s goalkeeper, but somehow failed to hit the target.

The inevitable happened in the 64th minute when Ludogorets equalized. Once again, Ivaylo Chochev was accurate. He took advantage of a cross from Petar Stanic, outjumped Martin Georgiev, and left Ntumba with no chance. Immediately after the kickoff, Kwadwo Duah could have completed the comeback, but his low shot hit the post. In the 77th minute, substitute Bernard Tekpetey launched a real rocket towards goal, but fortunately for the visitors – off target. Another miss followed – by Caio Vidal, who failed to beat Ntumba in a one-on-one situation. In the 86th minute, luck once again saved Slavia. From extremely close range, Duah headed the ball, but Ntumba somehow kept it out. Two minutes later, the “Whites” launched a counterattack; Sole and Balov combined, but the latter was not precise with the final shot.

In the final minutes, Ludogorets pushed forward, with the last action being a shot by Bernard Tekpetey, which was off target, and the match ended 1:1.