CSKA Sofia Dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv in UEFA Europa League

Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 CSKA Sofia at Batumi Arena, a commanding away win that leaves the Bulgarians with a clear advantage in this UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. CSKA built their victory on an explosive first half and controlled game management after the break, while Maccabi struggled to turn territory into chances and never recovered from conceding twice inside the opening half-hour.

Match Report

The tone was set early. In the 9th minute CSKA Sofia struck the opener — M. Ebong arrived from midfield to finish calmly, with L. Godoy providing the assist after a well-constructed move down the right. The goal gave CSKA the platform to sit in a compact 4-3-3 block and look to break with purpose.

On 18 minutes, the visitors picked up their first booking: B. Jordao (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding) — after a tactical foul to halt a Maccabi transition through the centre.

CSKA’s efficiency in the final third told again in the 29th minute. CSKA Sofia goal — L. Godoy (assisted by I. Pittas). Pittas peeled wide, delivered low into the box, and Godoy’s movement between the centre-backs was too sharp, doubling the lead and putting Maccabi in serious trouble at 0-2.

Maccabi’s frustration began to surface. In the 31st minute, S. Abu Farkhi (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding) — for a late, grappling challenge as he tried to press from the front. Shortly before the interval, in the 43rd minute, M. Camara (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding) — after stepping out of defence and dragging back his man to prevent another CSKA break. CSKA went into half-time 0-2 ahead, having punished Maccabi’s loose defensive structure.

Maccabi reacted at the restart with a double change aimed at refreshing the flanks. In the 46th minute, N. Ben Harush replaced S. Rosen (Maccabi Tel Aviv), adding more energy at full-back, and moments later T. Asante replaced I. Ben Hamo (Maccabi Tel Aviv), another like-for-like defensive change to adjust the back line.

CSKA’s aggression without the ball remained high. In the 54th minute, I. Pittas (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding) — for a holding foul as Maccabi tried to build through midfield.

On 66 minutes, both coaches turned to their benches again. For CSKA Sofia, J. Eto'o replaced B. Jordao, refreshing the midfield legs, while J. Zwarts replaced I. Pittas, providing a new focal point in attack. Maccabi Tel Aviv simultaneously altered their attacking structure: O. Davida replaced I. Shahar to add more vertical running from midfield, and E. Sokler replaced S. Abu Farkhi to offer a different profile up front, all in the 66th minute.

Still chasing the game, Maccabi made another attacking tweak in the 77th minute as E. Madmon replaced H. Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv), seeking more directness and late box entries from midfield.

CSKA, however, managed their squad and the game state intelligently. In the 78th minute, M. Brahimi replaced L. Godoy (CSKA Sofia), removing one of their key attackers but adding fresh legs to preserve the lead and threaten on the counter.

As the match entered its closing stages, tempers flared. In the 85th minute, J. Zwarts (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) — after a confrontation off the ball, and in the same minute R. Shlomo (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) — for his role in the incident, underlining Maccabi’s growing frustration at 0-2 down.

CSKA then put the tie close to beyond doubt in the 90th minute. CSKA Sofia goal — J. Zwarts (assisted by Pastor). The right-back Pastor surged forward and delivered a precise ball into the box, where Zwarts timed his run to finish clinically and make it 0-3, punishing Maccabi’s stretched shape as they pushed bodies forward.

Immediately after his assist, CSKA managed minutes and risk: in the 90+1' minute, Leo Pereira replaced Pastor (CSKA Sofia), a defensive-minded switch to close out the game on the flank.

There was still time for one final booking. In the 90+4' minute, S. Sensi (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Tripping) — for a late challenge in midfield as Maccabi attempted a last push. CSKA saw out the remaining seconds without alarm to complete a comprehensive 0-3 away victory.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: Maccabi Tel Aviv — not reported vs CSKA Sofia — not reported
• Possession: Maccabi Tel Aviv 49% vs 51% CSKA Sofia
• Shots on Target: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 vs 7 CSKA Sofia
• Goalkeeper Saves: Maccabi Tel Aviv — not reported vs CSKA Sofia — not reported
• Blocked Shots: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0 vs 6 CSKA Sofia

The statistical profile underlines how CSKA Sofia controlled the decisive zones. Despite near-parity in possession (49% vs 51%), CSKA generated more than triple the shots on target (7 vs 2), reflecting sharper structure in the final third and better occupation of central spaces. Maccabi’s inability to register more than two efforts on goal, combined with zero blocked shots, points to a passive defensive block that rarely disrupted CSKA’s shooting lanes, while CSKA’s six blocked efforts highlight an organised, reactive back line that protected their box aggressively.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data available for either side, the broader domestic context cannot be quantified here. What is clear within the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round frame is that CSKA Sofia carry a three-goal cushion into the return leg, giving them significant margin for error and allowing them to approach the second match with a more conservative game plan if desired. Maccabi Tel Aviv, by contrast, face a steep uphill task: they will need a high-scoring, near-perfect performance in the second leg to overturn this deficit and keep their European campaign alive.

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 display in both boxes (7 shots on target to 2), marrying early attacking incision with disciplined defensive work (6 blocked shots). Their 4-3-3 structure consistently created overloads around Maccabi’s double pivot, allowing Ebong and Jordão to arrive from deeper positions, as seen in the opener, while the wide forwards stretched the back four and opened channels for Godoy and later Zwarts. Out of possession, CSKA’s compactness forced Maccabi into low-quality attempts and speculative crosses, reflected in the hosts’ minimal threat.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, suffered from a vulnerable defensive shape (conceding 3 goals and 7 shots on target despite only a slight possession deficit) and a lack of penetration in attack (just 2 efforts on goal). Their half-time and 66th-minute attacking changes did increase energy but did not alter the fundamental issue: too few players between the lines and in the box when the ball reached wide areas. Without a more aggressive, risk-taking structure in the final third and tighter spacing in transition, the second leg will demand both tactical recalibration and a much higher level of execution to rescue the tie.