Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Beaten 0:3 by Valencia

Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad lost 0:3 against Valencia in the first leg of the Europa League 1/8 final.

The guests opened the score in Sofia as early as the 5th minute, through a goal by Antonio Barragan. In the 26th minute, the Bulgarians had their golden chance to equalize, when the referee awarded a penalty kick and sent off Seydu Keita for the foul. However, Roman Bezjak’s penalty shot was saved by Diego Alves.

With a man extra, Ludogorets pressed the opponent in their half, and a shot of Virgil Misidjan was denied only by the goal post. Against the run of play, Fede Cartabia scored a second goal for the Spanish team, volleying a well crossed ball.

The home team looked demoralized and somewhat tired during the second period, and when Senderos headed the ball for 0:3, things seemed all but decided. In the 80th minute, Ludogorets also had a player sent off, Juninho Quixada.

Despite the disappointing result, which was the first loss for Ludogorets in the tournament, the packed 43,000 stadium applauded the players at the end of the match.

The return leg will be at the Mestalla in Valencia, in exactly one week.

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