On Tuesday 23rd August Viktoria Plzeň and Ludogorets Razgrad played the rematch of the Champions League play-off that should decide, which of the two teams will play the group stage. The Bulgarian team came to Plzeň with two-goals lead from the first match in Sofia.

Electrifying atmosphere was felt in the air from the kick-off. The stadium was dressed in the colours of Champions League and the wish of all Pilseners to score a quick goal was fullfilled soon. On 7 minutes of the game Michal Ďuriš surprisingly scored after a corner – 1:0 for Viktoria! On 16 minutes the atmosphere changed because Cafú played by hand and Misidjan scored afterwards – 1:1. The captain Roman Hubník protested against the referee´s decision and was shown a yellow card. In the initial 15 minutes of the match Viktoria were a better team but Ludogorets´ goal equalized the game. On 30 minutes Tomáš Hořava was shown a yellow card for a foul. 4 minutes later Viktoria appeared in a promising chance but Marek Bakoš´s attempt was rebounded by the goalkeeper Stoyanov and the ball hit the crossbar. The emotions were present everywhere, Michal Duriš was given a yellow card, too. The score did not change until the break so the half-time result was 1:1.

Viktoria´s task for the 2nd half was simple – to score goals and turn the result on their side. The ball was behind the goal line on 60 minutes but the referee Mallenco did not count it for being off-side. 4 minutes later everything was different. Marek Bakoš and Aleš Matějů cooperated and they gave the goalkeeper no chance – 2:1. On 68 minutes the Doosan Arena clapped Aleš Matějů for the second time. He sprinted in the gate and stopped the ball behind the goalkeeper Kozáčik. On 74 minutes Hořava´s attempt flew above the crossbar. Ludogorets were losing enthusiasm they showed in the first match in Bulgaria and they often could not continue playing because of their exhaustion. On 83 minutes the coach Pivarník substituted two players in one go. Michal Ďuriš and Milan Petržela left the pitch and Jan Kovařík and Michael Krmenčík joined the game. Viktoria´s pressure was increasing with the end of the match approaching, however, the result was still better for Ludogorets. On 87 minutes Tomáš Hořava was replaced by Jan Baránek. Viktoria tried hard but they did not score. They all went to attack their opponent but suddenly Keseru set a counter-attack and score – 2:2.

The result of the match 2:2 means for Viktoria they will not play the Champions League group stage. Nevertheless, all fans at the Doosan Arena knew the home team did their best and they were rewarded by long aplaus.

FC Viktoria Plzeň - PFC Ludogorets Razgrad

Plzeň: Kozáčik - Matějů, Hejda, Hubník, Limberský - Petržela (83. Kovařík), Hromada, Hořava (88. Baránek), Kopic - Bakoš, Ďuriš (84. Krmenčík)

Razgrad: Stojanov - Minev, Moti, Palomino, Natanael - Djakov (80. Campanharo), Sasha - Wanderson (85. Plastun), Marcelinho, Misidjan (76. Keserü) - Jonathan Cafú

Goals: 7. Ďuriš, 64. Matějů - 17. Misidjan, 90.+5 Keserü YC: Hubník, Hořava, Ďuriš - Palomino, Jonathan Cafú Referees: Undiano Mallenco - Yuste, Barbero Sevilla - Gómez, Estrada
Crowd: 10312.