Balakov debuted at the head of Loko SF with success over Heber – BG Football – efbet Liga

Krasimir Balakov made his debut in charge of Lokomotiv Sofia with a 2-0 victory over Heber in a survival group match in the efbet Liga playoffs.

Already in the 10th minute, the “railwaymen” opened the scoring after Simeon Mechev led Steve Traore with a long pass. The midfielder escaped with a nice feint and checked Deberliev.

Ten minutes before the end, Traore scored his second goal, which shaped the final score.

In the standings, Lokomotiv Sofia already has 31 points and is second in the group. Heber remains one place lower with 30 points. Pirin’s team is currently in the 4th position, which leads to participation in a play-off to stay in the elite. The “Eagles” have equal points with the “Undertakers”.

The “Railwaymen” started the match differently compared to their previous meetings. Karsimir Balakov, already in his first game in charge, decided to move the defense line forward, which logically led Heber to go home near his penalty area. Possession of the ball in the first minutes was also in favor of the capital team, but good chances were lacking.

In the 7th minute came the first good situation and it logically played out in front of the goal of the “undertaker”. Steve Traore crosses to Diogo Teixeira, but his shot goes wide of the post.

Luboslav Penev’s players did not learn their lesson and three minutes later there was nothing to save them. Simeon Mechev played a nice long pass and found Steve Traore. The Benin footballer took the ball, then swung and broke free from an opposing defender. A quality finishing shot followed, which Petar Deberliev beat.

The hosts’ response came shortly after half-time. Oleksiy Zbun tries a very difficult shot to pass Alexander Lyubenov. However, the guard intervened with one hand and kicked in a corner kick.

By the end of the half, the game was even, with the more serious dangers at the door of the capital city. However, another goal was not achieved.

After the break, Heber began to attack more assertively as the visitors settled into their own half and relied on quick counter-attacks.

Luboslav Penev bet on changes in the offensive plan, as Atanas Kabov and Sheikh Diamanka appeared in the game in search of an important goal to equalize the result.

Ten minutes before the end, Krasimir Balakov’s players struck for the second time. Steve Traore received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shot towards goal. There was a ricochet in Joao Cesco and the ball rolled into the net for 2:0.

LIVE HEBER – LOCOMOTIVE SOFIA 0:2

0:1 Steve Traore 10′

0:1 Steve Traore 80′

Compositions of both teams:

Heber: Petar Deberliev, Lazar Marin, Joao Sesko, Stefan Tsonkov, Martin Mihailov, Oleksiy Zbun, Nicholas Penev, Johan N’zi, Georgi Valchev, Mark-Emilio Papazov, Angel Bastunov

Reservations: 32. Boyan Zagorski, 21. Bozhidar Penchev, 99. Georgi Karakashev, 77. Oktai Hamdiev, 84. Stiliyan Tisovski, 29. Sheikh Diamanka, 11. Atanas Kabov, 3. Bogomil Bojurkin, 18. Ivan Dishkov

Head coach: Luboslav Penev

Lokomotiv Sofia: Alexander Ljubenov – Bruno Franco, Dime Dimov, Krasimir Stanoev, Stefan Lambese, Krasimir Miloshev, Steve Traore, Simeon Mechev, Diogo Teixeira, Karsol France, Dimitar Mitkov

Reservations: 88. Zharko Istatkov, 21. Antoni Ivanov, 44. Miki Orachev, 2. Gonzalo Cardoso, 13. Celso Raposo, 7. Kevin Mai, 15. Luka Ivanov, 22. Ivaylo Naydenov, 9. Kaloyan Krastev

Head coach: Krasimir Balakov

Chief judge: Radoslav Gidzenov, city of Plovdiv

Stadium: “Georgi Benkovski”, city of Pazardzhik