CSKA Sofia Dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv in 3-0 Europa League Victory

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia at Batumi Arena was shaped less by raw possession and more by how each side used its structure. In a UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie that finished 0-2 at half-time and 0-3 overall, CSKA Sofia’s 4-3-3 imposed its will in both boxes, while Maccabi’s 4-2-3-1 never translated territory into threat. With possession essentially even (49%–51%), the decisive gap lay in shot quality and penalty-box control: CSKA produced 7 shots on goal to Maccabi’s 2, underlining a clear superiority in chance creation and execution.

Maccabi Tel Aviv set up in a 4-2-3-1 with O. Melika in goal, a back four of S. Rosen, R. Shlomo, M. Camara and I. Ben Hamo, a double pivot of I. Noy and I. Shahar, and an attacking band of H. Varela, D. Peretz and I. Sissokho behind lone forward S. Abu Farkhi. On paper this gave them central stability and three advanced midfielders to overload the half-spaces. In practice, the structure struggled to progress the ball cleanly into dangerous zones. The team generated only 2 shots on goal and had 0 blocked shots, suggesting they rarely managed to shoot under pressure in crowded areas; attacks either broke down before the box or resulted in low-quality attempts that did not test the defensive block.

The early goal at 9' from M. Ebong for CSKA Sofia forced Maccabi’s block to become more aggressive. That shift, combined with their attempt to push the full-backs higher, contributed to a foul count of 21 and three yellow cards. The back four were often exposed in transition, with Camara and Shlomo needing to defend large spaces against CSKA’s front three. The double pivot of Noy and Shahar was unable to consistently screen central lanes while also supporting possession, leaving a structural gap between defence and midfield that CSKA repeatedly exploited, especially through late runs and combinations around the edge of the box.

Kenny Miller’s in-game adjustments reflected a search for defensive balance and attacking punch. At 46', T. Asante (IN) came on for I. Ben Hamo (OUT) and N. Ben Harush (IN) came on for S. Rosen (OUT, both at full-back), a clear attempt to refresh the flanks and perhaps add more athleticism and width. On 66', E. Sokler (IN) replaced S. Abu Farkhi (OUT), and O. Davida (IN) replaced I. Shahar (OUT), signalling a more direct, front-foot approach with extra attacking impetus from midfield. Later, at 77', E. Madmon (IN) came on for H. Varela (OUT), adding further energy between the lines. Despite these changes, the underlying issue remained: Maccabi could not consistently break CSKA’s compact 4-3-3 mid-block, nor pin the Bulgarian side deep enough to sustain pressure. Their 2 corner kicks, matching CSKA’s 2, underline how rarely they forced play into the opposition third with enough continuity.

CSKA Sofia’s 4-3-3, coached by Hristo Yanev, was built on a disciplined defensive shape and sharp vertical transitions. F. Lapoukhov started in goal behind a back four of A. Martino, F. Rodriguez, T. Ivanov and Pastor. The midfield trio of S. Sensi, B. Jordao and M. Ebong gave them a strong central spine: Sensi as the organiser, Jordao as the shuttler, and Ebong as a dynamic two-way presence who also opened the scoring. Ahead of them, J. Gbamin (nominally listed as a defender but used higher), L. Godoy and I. Pittas formed a flexible front line that interchanged positions and attacked the channels.

The shot profile tells the story of this structure working almost perfectly. CSKA produced 7 shots on goal and 6 blocked shots, indicating not only that they reached good shooting positions but also that they were consistently getting efforts away under pressure inside or around the box. Their ability to create both clear sights of goal and volume in crowded areas contrasted sharply with Maccabi’s sterile possession. The second goal at 29', scored by L. Godoy and assisted by I. Pittas, was emblematic of their vertical efficiency: a quick combination exploiting space behind Maccabi’s advanced full-backs and stretched double pivot.

Out of possession, CSKA balanced aggression with control. They committed 17 fouls and collected 4 yellow cards, but without conceding territory in dangerous zones. The midfield line, led by Sensi’s positioning, protected the central corridor, forcing Maccabi to circulate wide and cross from less threatening zones. The relatively low corner count (2) conceded by CSKA reflects how rarely they were forced into last-ditch defending.

Yanev’s substitutions were carefully timed to maintain the structure’s intensity. At 66', J. Zwarts (IN) for I. Pittas (OUT) and J. Eto'o (IN) for B. Jordao (OUT) refreshed the front line and midfield energy without altering the 4-3-3 shape. At 78', M. Brahimi (IN) replaced L. Godoy (OUT), adding fresh legs and ball-carrying on the flank. In stoppage time, Leo Pereira (IN) came on for Pastor (OUT) at 90+1', with Zwarts later adding the third goal at 90' from a Pastor assist, underlining how CSKA’s bench continued to execute the same tactical blueprint.

With goalkeeper save data and xG unavailable, the clearest statistical lens is shot and foul distribution. CSKA’s 7 shots on goal versus Maccabi’s 2 encapsulate the difference in attacking clarity. Possession at 49%–51% was effectively even, but CSKA transformed their share into repeated penalty-box actions, as indicated by 6 blocked shots, while Maccabi produced none. The foul split (21 for Maccabi, 17 for CSKA) and card tally (3 yellows for Maccabi, 4 for CSKA) show a physically contested game, yet CSKA managed their aggression within a stable structure, whereas Maccabi’s fouls often stemmed from being out of position in transition.

In tactical terms, this match was not about dominance of the ball but about superior spacing, pressing triggers and transition efficiency. CSKA Sofia’s 4-3-3 consistently created overloads in midfield and direct threats in behind, while Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 4-2-3-1 failed to convert its theoretical attacking numbers into real chances. The 3-0 scoreline at Batumi Arena accurately reflects that structural and execution gap.