Botev (Plovdiv) secured a narrow 1-0 win in their Round 11 match against Levski, with Vinni Triboulet scoring his debut goal for the “yellow-blacks.” Earlier in the match, a goal by the offensive player was disallowed, and the “canaries” played with a man down for over 30 minutes due to a red card for Jonas Tam. This was the first home game for Dušan Kerkez’s team at “Hristo Botev” stadium after 48 days away from home, following four consecutive away matches.
The match began symbolically with actor Pavel Ivanov, who played the role of Georgi Asparuhov in the film “Gundi – A Legend of Love,” for which Botev is an official partner.
The first dangerous situation in the match resulted in a disallowed goal by Vini Triboulet after a pass from Christian Nwachukwu, following a VAR review that ruled the Nigerian player offside. Fifteen minutes into the game, Hans Christian Bernat saved a long-range shot from Maicon. Midway through the half, Ehije Ukaki was injured and replaced by Nikola Iliev. Iliev nearly scored in the 26th minute, but Matej Markovic made a save. Towards the end of the first half, Bernat made brilliant saves against two shots from Mustafa Sangare.
After almost an hour of play, Joonas Tamm fouled Sangare near the penalty area, and following a VAR review, the Estonian player received a red card. In the 82nd minute, Kristian Dimitrov headed the ball from close range, but Bernat was not troubled. In the 87th minute, the “canaries” delivered the decisive blow. Triboulet fired from the edge of the penalty area, beating Matej Markovic. This was the offensive player’s debut goal in the “yellow-black” jersey.
This was Botev’s first win over Levski since the team returned to the renovated “Hristo Botev” stadium. Dušan Kerkez’s team also ended a six-match winless streak against “the Blues,” with their last victory dating back to August 2021 at the Nikola Shterev — “Starika” Football Complex.
Botev now has 22 points after 10 matches and ranks third in the standings. After the international break, the “canaries” will host Slavia. The match against the “whites” is on Saturday, October 19, at 6:45 PM.
Botev starting lineup: 1. Hans Christian Bernat; 17. Nikolay Minkov, 5. Joonas Tamm, 19. Antoine Conte, 38. Konstantinos Balogiannis; 20. Antonio Perera, 88. Alen Korosec; 4. Ehije Ukaki, 10. Ivelin Popov (C), 40. Christian Nwachukwu; 91. Vinni Triboulet