Botev Plovdiv and Ludogorets Razgrad finished 2-2 in a beautiful derby game from the 24th round of the Bulgarian championship. The Canaries took the lead twice during the game, but the champions managed to equalize both times. The game started with a minute of silence for Georgi Slavkov, the club legend who passed away a month ago. This was the first official match to be played on the club base in Komatevo, after the demolition of the old stadium Hristo Botev, which will be rebuilt from ground zero.
The Canaries started the game aggressively, with few good chances in the first minutes of play. Ludogorets seemed careful and little tired after the succes in League Europa against Lazio(1-0) in Thursday. This payed off in the 14th minute when the new signing Unes Hamza took advantage from a mistake in the Ludogorets’ defense and managed to score 1 on 1 against national goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov.
Botev’s joy didn’t last long, when in the 23th minute Ludogorets equalized – Kozmin Moti scored a header after a corner kick for 1-1.
The second half repeated the first – in the first minutes Hamza scored again, this time after a great pass from the other new player – Ferebori Dore, and again one on one passed the ball past Stoyanov in the net. Again 10 minutes later Ludogorets scored again – this time Virdgan Misijan netted a beautiful shot from 20 meters, leaving no chance for otherwise perfect today Adam Stachovyak.
The game in a very intense tempo, and both teams could feel sorry for the missed win. The game was praised from the spectators as one of the most beautiful spectacles in the Bulgarian football this season.
With the draw Botev passed Cherno More and are now in the 6th position in the standings. Ludogores are at the lead, one point ahead of Litex.