Bulgaria's Ludogorets Keeps Chances of Continuing in Europe

Ludogorets celebrating after a late equaliser by Georgi Terziev (C) during their Champions League match with Liverpool. Photo: EPA/BGNES

Despite the Wednesday draw with Liverpool, which was not enough for Ludogorets to progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League, the Bulgarian reigning champion still holds chances of continuing in the Europa League.

The game which was played at the Vasil Levski national stadium in Sofia ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Ludogorets were in the lead after an early opener by Dani Abalo in the 3^rd minute, but the English side managed to come back quickly with Rickie Lambert equalising five minutes later.

Although Ludogorets had greater possession of the ball, Liverpool were leading 1-2 at half-time, following a goal by Jordan Henderson in the 37^th minute.

In the second half Ludogorets retained the initiative, but their attempts were not as dangerous as in the first part.

However the hosts were rewarded for their efforts at the end, when Georgi Terziev fixed the final score in the 88^th minute.

In the other game in Group B Real Madrid won 0-1 to hosts Basel in Switzerland.

This did not bring any reshuffling to the standings in the group, where Real Madrid is the clear winner with 15 points, followed by Basel with 6, Liverpool and Ludogorets still occupying the bottom two places with equal number of points – 4, but the English have a better goal difference.

In the last matchday on December 9, Liverpool and Basel play in England in direct competition for the 2^nd place, while Ludogorets travels to Madrid, where it will attempt to do the impossible and earn a point or three from ten-time European champions Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

Points earned in Madrid will increase the chances of Ludogorets occupying the third place in the final standing, which guarantees participation in the Europa League tournament in the spring.

The team from Razgrad will also rely on a favourable outcome of the other match in the group, hoping on Basel to beat Liverpool.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!