CSKA Sofia Dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv in UEFA Europa League

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 4-2-3-1 structure at Batumi Arena never really imposed itself on CSKA Sofia’s 4-3-3, and the 0-3 scoreline in the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round reflected a clear tactical superiority from the Bulgarian side. Despite a near-even share of the ball (49% vs 51%), Maccabi’s possession lacked penetration, while CSKA converted their territorial balance into a steady stream of high-quality attacks and seven shots on goal. The early goals forced Maccabi to chase the game, stretching their double pivot and exposing the back four to transitions that CSKA’s front three and advanced midfield exploited with intelligence and aggression.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s initial plan hinged on a structured build-up from the back in a 4-2-3-1: O. Melika behind a back four of I. Ben Hamo, M. Camara, Raz Shlomo and S. Rosen, with I. Noy and I. Shahar as the double pivot. Ahead of them, I. Sissokho, D. Peretz and H. Varela were tasked with linking to lone forward S. Abu Farkhi. On paper this offered central stability and wide outlets; in practice, CSKA’s 4-3-3 pressing angles disrupted Maccabi’s rhythm.

CSKA Sofia’s back line of Pastor, T. Ivanov, F. Rodriguez and A. Martino stayed relatively compact, allowing the midfield trio of M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão and Stefano Sensi to step aggressively into passing lanes. With J. Gbamin advanced from right-back line into the second line on the grid, and forwards L. Godoy and I. Pittas flanking the central threat, CSKA were able to create a five-man pressing shell around Maccabi’s first phase. This shape limited clean progression through Noy and Shahar, forcing Maccabi wide or into rushed long balls.

First Half

The opening goal at 9 minutes was a direct consequence of that structure. M. Ebong’s advanced positioning from midfield, supported by L. Godoy, showed how CSKA’s interiors were encouraged to break lines once possession was recovered. Maccabi’s double pivot was drawn towards the ball side, leaving space between midfield and defence that Ebong attacked. The early 0-1 deficit immediately undermined Maccabi’s plan to control tempo and instead tilted the match towards CSKA’s preferred transition game.

At 29 minutes, L. Godoy’s strike for 0-2, assisted by I. Pittas, underlined the threat of CSKA’s front three attacking the channels around Maccabi’s centre-backs. With Maccabi’s full-backs pushed to support the wide midfielders, Camara and Shlomo were often left defending large spaces. Pittas’ involvement as provider rather than finisher illustrated CSKA’s fluid front line, with the nominal centre-forward willing to drift and combine while wide forwards attacked the box.

Maccabi’s disciplinary profile – three yellow cards to CSKA’s four – reflected a side increasingly reactive without the ball. Bookings for Saied Abu Farchi and Mohamed Camara before half-time signalled frustration both in the first line of pressure and in emergency defending. These fouls disrupted CSKA’s rhythm only sporadically and did not translate into any control of territory or momentum.

Second Half

Kenny Miller’s response at half-time was decisive but ultimately ineffective. The double change at 46 minutes – T. Asante (IN) came on for I. Ben Hamo (OUT) and N. Ben Harush (IN) came on for S. Rosen (OUT) – reshaped the full-back positions, presumably to add more athleticism and width down both flanks. Later, on 66 minutes, E. Sokler (IN) came on for S. Abu Farkhi (OUT) and O. Davida (IN) came on for I. Shahar (OUT), a clear move to inject more direct threat and creativity in the final third. Finally, at 77 minutes, E. Madmon (IN) came on for H. Varela (OUT), further freshening the attacking midfield line.

Despite these changes, Maccabi produced only two shots on goal and four off goal, with zero blocked efforts, which points to a lack of sustained pressure in and around the CSKA penalty area. Their two corner kicks underline how rarely they managed to pin CSKA back. The structure remained a 4-2-3-1 in broad terms, but as the match wore on it often resembled a stretched 4-2-4 in possession, with wide players and forwards high and the double pivot exposed.

CSKA, by contrast, managed the game with maturity once ahead. Hristo Yanev’s first wave of changes on 66 minutes – J. Zwarts (IN) came on for I. Pittas (OUT) and J. Eto'o (IN) came on for B. Jordao (OUT) – refreshed both the central attacking reference and one of the box-to-box roles. Later, M. Brahimi (IN) came on for L. Godoy (OUT) on 78 minutes, and Leo Pereira (IN) came on for Pastor (OUT) at 90+1', maintaining energy in wide and defensive zones. The late 0-3 goal at 90 minutes, scored by J. Zwarts from a Pastor assist, showed the effectiveness of these substitutions: fresh legs exploiting a stretched Maccabi back line in the closing stages.

Defensively, CSKA’s six blocked shots were a key tactical marker. The back four and midfield three consistently protected the central lane, stepping out to meet shots before they could test the goalkeeper. Combined with only two shots on goal conceded, this indicates that CSKA controlled the quality of chances as much as the quantity. Their foul count (17) was lower than Maccabi’s 21, suggesting they were able to break play with more selective, tactically timed interventions rather than persistent last-ditch challenges.

Statistically, the balance of possession (51% CSKA, 49% Maccabi) might suggest a tight contest, but the shot profile tells the tactical truth: CSKA’s seven shots on goal to Maccabi’s two, plus their six blocks and identical number of corners (2-2), underline a side that allowed Maccabi sterile control while creating the more dangerous situations. With no recorded xG, passes or goalkeeper saves, the shot and foul data become even more central: CSKA combined compact defensive organisation with vertical, well-supported attacks, while Maccabi’s structural tweaks and substitutions never solved the spacing issues between their lines or generated consistent threat in the final third.