Botev Plovdiv won their away match against CSKA 1948 in the 10th round, with the only goal at the “Vitosha” stadium in Bistritsa coming from Aleksa Maraš in the 84’. This victory marks the “canaries'” first success in an away match against this opponent and breaks a series of five matches without a win against the “reds.”
Dušan Kerkez made two changes to Botev’s starting lineup. Atanas Chernev started as a titular and recorded his first minutes of the season, while captain Ivelin Popov returned after serving a suspension.
The first dangerous situation came in the 18’ when Evgeny Serdyuk capitalized on a good through ball, but a brilliant reaction from Hans Christian Bernat prevented a goal. Before the end of the first half, Ehije Ukaki struck powerfully but inaccurately. Shortly after, Christian Nwachukwu failed to convert a cross from Konstantinos Balogiannis, heading the ball off target.
In the first 20 minutes of the second half, attempts from Serdyuk, two from Tsenov, and one from Talis went wide of Bernat’s goal. In the 71’, Maraš, coming off the bench, sent the ball into the net of CSKA 1948, but the goal was disallowed due to offside against Ehije Ukaki during the attack.
However, in 84′ Botev scored. Ivelin Popov brought Maras into a clear position and the Montenegrian beat Petar Marinov. It was the second goal with the “yellow-black” jersey for the striker and the first in a championship match. For Popov it was his third assist since the beginning of the season.
“The Yellow-Blacks reached victory over CSKA 1948 after a series of three losses and two draws in the last five matches against this opponent, and the success was also the first in a visit of the Reds after four defeats and one draw so far in their rivalry in the domestic elite.
The victory was the sixth championship one since the beginning of the season and Botev now has 19 points in its asset. “The Canaries occupy the fourth position in the standings, equal on points with third-placed Cherno More. “The Yellow-Blacks are also the most solid away side in the division, having won six games and lost just once in their visits since the start of the league.
Now Botev have three consecutive home games, the first of which will be at Levski on October 5 (Saturday) at 20:00. Tickets for the 11th round match can be picked up here. After the break for the national teams, the Canaries will also host Slavia and Cherno More . Package tickets for the three home games in October are available here.
Botev Starting Lineup :
1. Hans Christian Bernat;
17. Nikolay Minkov, 79. Atanas Chernev, 19. Antoine Conte, 38. Konstantinos Balogiannis, 20. Antonio Perera, 88. Alen Korosec, 4. Ehije Ukaki, 10. Ivelin Popov (c) (89’ – 28. Yanis Karabelyov), 40. Christian Nwachukwu (79’ – 21. Nikola Iliev), 91. Vinni Triboulet (61’ – 99. Aleksa Maras)
