Ludogorets stunned by a late goal at Arena National

Ludogorets played a good match but lost 0-1 on a late goal by Alexandru Chipciu. The forward scored in the 88th minute to give the Romanian champion a narrow lead before the second leg to be played at Vasil Levski Stadium next week. Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov turned again into Eagles’ hero. The national player saved Chipciu’s penalty kick in the first half by tipping it out for a corner. Stoyanov made several more saves but was helpless two minutes before the final whistle when the Romanian forward scored from a close distance.

Ludogorets stood equal to its opponent and produced several good attacks but the lack of chance at final stage denied the champions the goal. It was Mihail Aleksandrov who had the best chance in the beginning of the second half. The midfielder hit the right post of Steaua’s goal after a small-angle shot.

STEAUA - LUDOGORETS 1:0
1:0 Chipciu (88)

Steaua: 24. Giedrius Arlauskis, 2. Cornel Râpă, 4. Łukasz Szukała, 33. Fernando Varela, 14. Iasmin Latovlevici, 11. Andrei Prepeliţă, 21. Nicandro Breeveld, 77. Adrian Popa (83’ 9. Gabriel Iancu), 18. Lucian Sânmărtean (90’+2 8. Lucian Filip), 12. Nicolae Stanciu (57’ 28. Claudiu Keșerü), 7. Alexandru Chipciu
Coach: Constantin Gâlcă

Ludogorets: 21. Vladislav Stoyanov, 80. Júnior Caiçara, 27. Cosmin Moţi, 55. Georgi Terziev, 25. Yordan Minev, 18. Svetoslav Dyakov, 23. Hristo Zlatinski (46’ 8. Fábio Espinho), 7. Mihail Aleksandrov, 93. Virgil Misidjan, 84. Marcelinho (85’ 12. Abel Anicet), 99. Younes Hamza
Coach: Georgi Dermendzhiev

"Arena National", Attendance: 40000

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

Yellow cards: Alexandru Chipciu (Steaua); Júnior Caiçara, Younes Hamza (Ludogorets)