The former striker of Levski Petar Kurdov commented to "Tema Sport" the performance of the blues in the first match of the season against Lokomotiv Sofia (6:1). He spoke flatteringly of the new additions to the capital and gave advice to one of them - Alex Kolev. The three-time champion of Bulgaria with Levski said that Stanislav Genchev's team can enter the fight for the title and whether he sees optimism in "Gerena".
Mr. Kurdov, Levski started the season convincingly with a 6:1 rout over Loko Sofia? How did you see the game of the blues in "Hope"?
- Definitely a good start, result and game from Levski. Another issue is that Lokomotiv had their pants off and as their coach (b.a. Ivan Kolev) said, they are a team of three weeks. Bulgarian football does not need such teams, but this is their problem. Levski's new players impressed with good play and a lot of running. Beautiful goals were scored. It was a good game for the Blues. This should be seen. I'm happy with the fight.
What is your opinion in particular about the performance of the two new strikers - Alex Kolev and Mustafa Sangare, who made their debut with a goal?
- Kolev scored a great goal. It is rare to see such head play on our pitches. But that's all I can say because I think he needs to move more. I have a feeling he's tired. I wish him well as he wears the most important shirt in the team - the one with the No. 9 on the back. This obliges even more. He needs to be more uncompromising in forward positions and in the fight for a high ball. However, it is still too early to give grades to anyone. The same with Mustafa Sangare. He switched on well and scored a beautiful goal. Hope it continues like this. I was also impressed by Aldair's game. Works on a large perimeter, good dribbling at speed and scored coolly after breaking free from defenders and left alone against the goalkeeper. All in all, all boys deserve good grades.
Can Levski start the season even more convincingly, after upcoming matches against more modest teams such as Botev Vratsa and Krumovgrad?
- First, Levski needed such a start as it was in "Hope". On the one hand, to respect everyone else, and on the other - to give a request from the very beginning for a good season. This is important. As for the upcoming games, the Blues must win them. Nothing else matters.
Do you see Levski in contention for the title after the first games have passed and you have seen the other teams?
- Why can't he intervene in the fight for the title? I welcome the newcomers to Levski. We must also praise Stanislav Genchev. Let's hope it continues like this because now the serious games are coming. I don't really like to comment on CSKA and Ludogorets. But you can see that there is no difference between this team, which left Grisha Ganchev, and the current one. Still, we have to say that the Reds played a good game. Had they not scored an own goal, the match would have gone to a draw. In Razgrad, they have a big lead because of the European tournaments. I'm always true to my principles and I have to wait for more matches to have a better assessment of the situation and impressions of the teams. For the moment, an upswing is visible in Botev Plovdiv. So looking at the overall situation, I see nothing new under the sun. The derby matches are still to come. It is also necessary to know that the heat at the moment also has an impact. The conditions are tough to play, the players get fried, and in Europe they play in cooler weather and at other times. But we know that. Chaos is scary. I hear, follow and talk to different people. Some teams are on the edge of survival.
Do you see optimism in "Gerena"?
- Good things are noticeable in the team. You'd have to be an absolute moron not to say that the team played an excellent game against Lokomotiv Sofia. It had everything in it. The relentlessness and drive to get to those six goals, we haven't seen them in a long time. I hope it continues in the same spirit. Good news was also the coverage of the principal to the Capital Municipality, and I hope it will only go up.
Source: Topsport