CSKA Sofia Dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv in UEFA Europa League

Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 CSKA Sofia at Batumi Arena leaves the Israelis with a heavy first-leg deficit in the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round, as CSKA’s superior efficiency in both boxes (7 shots on goal to 2) turned early control into a commanding advantage in the tie.

Match Report

On 9', CSKA Sofia struck first. CSKA Sofia goal — M. Ebong (assisted by L. Godoy) finished a well-constructed move to make it 0-1 and immediately tilt the tie in the Bulgarians’ favour.

On 18', the first booking arrived: 18' B. Jordao (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding) as the visitors tried to disrupt Maccabi’s attempts to build from midfield.

CSKA doubled their lead before the half-hour. On 29', CSKA Sofia goal — L. Godoy (assisted by I. Pittas), with Godoy timing his run and finishing clinically to push the score to 0-2.

Maccabi’s frustration began to show on 31': 31' S. Abu Farkhi (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding) after a late challenge halted a CSKA transition.

On 43', another home defender went into the book: 43' M. Camara (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding) as CSKA continued to threaten on the counter.

Maccabi Tel Aviv made a double change at the interval to stem the tide. On 46', N. Ben Harush replaced S. Rosen (Maccabi Tel Aviv), followed moments later at 46' by T. Asante replacing I. Ben Hamo (Maccabi Tel Aviv), signalling a reshuffle in the back line.

CSKA’s aggression also drew punishment after the break. On 54', 54' I. Pittas (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding) for a tug as Maccabi tried to break.

The 66th minute brought a flurry of substitutions. For CSKA Sofia, J. Eto'o replaced B. Jordao (CSKA Sofia) on 66', refreshing the midfield, and J. Zwarts replaced I. Pittas (CSKA Sofia) on 66' to add fresh legs up front. Maccabi Tel Aviv responded at the same time: on 66', O. Davida replaced I. Shahar (Maccabi Tel Aviv), and E. Sokler replaced S. Abu Farkhi (Maccabi Tel Aviv), with the hosts chasing a route back into the game.

Still trailing 0-2, Maccabi made another attacking change on 77': 77' E. Madmon replaced H. Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv) to inject more energy between the lines.

CSKA continued to rotate their front line on 78', with M. Brahimi replacing L. Godoy (CSKA Sofia), the goalscorer departing after a decisive first-hour contribution.

As tempers flared late on, the referee produced two more cards in quick succession. On 85', 85' J. Zwarts (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) after a clash off the ball, and moments later 85' R. Shlomo (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) for his role in the same confrontation.

CSKA added a third goal right on 90', effectively killing off the contest. 90' CSKA Sofia goal — J. Zwarts (assisted by Pastor) as the substitute forward capitalised on space in behind to make it 0-3.

Immediately after his assist, Pastor made way in added time: on 90+1', Leo Pereira replaced Pastor (CSKA Sofia), a defensive-minded change to see out the final moments.

The last notable incident came deep into stoppage time: 90+4' S. Sensi (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Tripping) after a late challenge in midfield, but by then CSKA’s three-goal cushion was secure.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: not available vs not available
• Possession: 49% vs 51%
• Shots on Target: 2 vs 7
• Goalkeeper Saves: not available vs not available
• Blocked Shots: 0 vs 6

CSKA Sofia’s win was built on sharper execution in both penalty areas. Despite near-parity in possession (49% vs 51%), the visitors generated far more threat, registering 7 shots on target to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 2. CSKA’s attacking structure, with Pittas and Godoy stretching the back line and Ebong arriving from midfield, repeatedly created clear shooting opportunities. In contrast, Maccabi struggled to progress the ball cleanly through CSKA’s compact 4-3-3 press, reflected in their low shot volume and absence of blocked efforts (0 blocked shots), suggesting they rarely sustained pressure in advanced areas. Defensively, CSKA’s 6 blocked shots underline how often they were in position to protect their box, turning promising Maccabi situations into low-quality attempts. The 0-3 scoreline aligns with the pattern of chances: CSKA were both more incisive and more resilient, and the margin of victory is consistent with their clear superiority in shot quality and volume.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data available, the immediate impact is confined to the tie itself. CSKA Sofia carry a commanding 3-0 advantage from this first leg of the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round, placing them in a strong position to progress to the next stage. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, face a daunting task in the return leg, needing at least three unanswered goals to force extra time and four to turn the tie around, a challenge made tougher by their limited attacking output in this match (2 shots on target).

Lineups & Personnel

Maccabi Tel Aviv Starting XI

• GK: Ofek Melika
• DF: Itai Ben Hamo, Mohamed Camara, Raz Shlomo, Shahar Rosen
• MF: Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar, Issouf Sissokho, Dor Peretz, Hélio Varela
• FW: Saied Abu Farchi

CSKA Sofia Starting XI

• GK: Fedor Lapoukhov
• DF: Pastor, Teodor Ivanov, Facundo Rodríguez, Ángelo Martino
• MF: Max Ebong, Bruno Jordão, Stefano Sensi
• FW: Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Leandro Godoy, Ioannis Pittas

Post-Match Verdict

CSKA Sofia delivered a clinical away performance (7 shots on target to 2), combining an aggressive, coordinated press with vertical attacking runs that repeatedly unpicked Maccabi Tel Aviv’s back line. Their front three and advanced midfielders consistently found space between the lines, while the back four and midfield shield limited Maccabi largely to speculative efforts, as reflected by the hosts’ lack of blocked shots (0). Maccabi’s display, by contrast, exposed a vulnerable defensive structure (conceding 3 goals from 7 shots on target) and an attack that rarely converted possession (49%) into sustained pressure. The hosts’ multiple defensive bookings highlighted their struggle to cope with CSKA’s movement, and their raft of second-half substitutions could not alter the underlying dynamic. Over the 90 minutes, CSKA were tactically superior, more composed in key moments, and fully merited a three-goal cushion heading into the second leg.