Levski made a complete turnaround against ten-man CSKA 1948 as a guest and won 3:1 as a guest in a match from the 22nd round of the Bulgarian football championship, with which the "Blues" increased their lead at the top of the standings. The 26-time champions have 53 points and ten more than Ludogorets, who will visit Botev (Plovdiv) on Monday, BTA reported.
CSKA 1948 struck the first blow of the match and did so in the sixth minute. Jose Martinez masterfully mastered a strong pass in front of the penalty area and volleyed, leaving goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov with no chance to react. Levski responded ten minutes later with a powerful shot from the arc by Akram Bouras, which was, however, saved by Petar Marinov.
Levski was closer to a goal in the 18th minute. After a long attack, Aldair crossed to the head of Mustafa Sangare and he shot, but Marinov knocked the ball into the side post. It returned to the "blues" and Mazir Sula crossed again, and this time Maikon was off-target with a header.
CSKA 1948 was left with a man less in the 35th minute, when Adama Traore committed a rough foul on Armstrong Oko-Flex and was sent off with a second yellow card. After the set piece was executed, the ball fell to Maikon in front of the penalty area, and the Brazilian's shot was saved by Marinov. In the very next attack, Mustafa Sangare advanced from the right and passed to Everton Bala in a clear position, but he lost his balance and sent the ball high over the crossbar.
Head coach Alexander Alexandrov reacted and changed his center forward Mamadou Diallo for defender Andre Hoffman, which clearly shows his idea - preserving the score. However, he remained like that for only ten minutes, as in the 45th minute Levski equalized. Everton Bala received the ball in the penalty area and shot towards the far post, where Mazir Sula intercepted it for a 1:1 draw, which ended the half.
The pressure of the "blues" continued in the second half, and the second goal was not long in coming. In the 58th minute, Gasper Turdin passed to the left for Maicon and the guests' left back made a sharp pass on the grass to the penalty area, and Armstrong Oko-Flex scored for 2:1. The Irish striker was accurate in his debut against Botev (Vratsa), and last week provided an assist for another victory against Botev (Plovdiv).
Levski finished off the opponent in the 90th minute, when reserve Juan Perea scored after a counterattack for his second goal since the transfer from Lokomotiv (Plovdiv).
CSKA 1948 lost 1:2, which left them in fourth place in the efbet League standings. The "Reds" are level on points with CSKA and three behind Ludogorets.