Botev and Lokomotiv drew 1:1 in the Plovdiv derby from the 29th round of the First League. The match was played in front of about 12,000 spectators at the Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv.
The two teams had an equal clash, filled entirely with football techniques without unnecessary rudeness and provocations. The “yellow-black” fans showed solid support for Lachezar Baltanov and his boys, and the Bultras players impressed with several spectacular choreographies.
Before the start of the match, a beautiful sunrise illuminated the “Kolezha”, and the Representative Brass Band of the Air Force of the Republic of Bulgaria led the two teams with “Tih Byal Dunav”.
The Canaries were more active in the first minutes, with shots from Baloyannis and Mascotte not bothering the goalkeeper. In the 20th minute, Kalu’s shot went wide.
This led to the 25th minute, when the guests opened the scoring with their first more dangerous attack, and the goal was scored by Katalin Itu after an assist from Umarbaev.
In the 40th minute, Franklin Mascotte hit the side post after intercepting a cross from Nedelev. It was the captain who blew the stands away in the first half after converting a penalty awarded for a foul on Kalu.
After the break, the two teams exchanged the initiative several times. In the 56th minute, a dangerous shot by Schwartz went over the goal. A long-range shot by Ivaylo Ivanov followed, saved by Daniel Naumov.
In the 66th minute, the national goalkeeper made a magnificent save, knocking a shot under the crossbar from Catalin Itu. In the final minutes of the match, the “Canaries” applied pressure.
This brought us to the fifth minute of added time, when luck saved the visitors from losing. Enock Kwateng fought for the ball and found Chimezi, who fired a great shot into the far corner, but Milosavljevic kept the score level with his fingertips.
Botev: 29. Daniel Naumov, 4. Nikola Soldo, 8. Todor Nedelev /c/, 10. Emerson Rodriguez, 17. Nikolay Minkov, 30. Franklin Mascotte, 38. Konstantinos Balogiannis, 42. Ivaylo Videv, 45. Edson Silva, 77. Lucas Araujo, 90. Samuel Kalu
Subs: 1. Hristian Slavkov, 7. Nikola Iliev, 13. Samuil Tsonov, 14. Carlos Algara, 22. Enock Kwuteng, 28. Enrique Jocu, 41. Zacaria Tindano, 44. Carlos Meoti, 88. Chimezi Williams
