Slovenian Ante Šimundža started for Ludogorets this season and has kept the team on course for a 12th consecutive Bulgarian title. Raul Caro
PFC Ludogorets is the easiest opponent that HJK will face in the Europa League group. Nevertheless, the group that dominated the Bulgarian premier league is the early favorite on Thursday, and its position cannot be questioned in any way after the victory over AS Roma.
In the opening of the group stage, the Bulgarian team took a 2–1 victory over Roma, who are sixth in Serie A. It was also able to challenge Real Betis and played with them in a match that ended with a 3–2 result.
He became the head coach of “Kotkie” for this season Ante Šimundža has made Ludogorets succeed in the main series as well, where the team is already seeking its 12th consecutive championship. Like HJK, Kotki have to change their attitudes on the Euro courts in the middle of a tight main league competition, but for the seasoned Euro team, it does not cause problems.
– I believe our players are professionals enough to change their focus to the games I see. Since the beginning of July, we have been playing European games and the main series at the same time. I have told the players that we will do a lot of things right when we are here, the coach commented at the Bolt Arena.
The rainy weather in October does not give HJK an advantage. It is also not provided by the more famous weapon, i.e. the game platform. One of the many Brazilian players of Ludogorets Cauly Oliveira Souza even waiting to get to the artificial grass to play catch.
– I myself have a warm history of playing on artificial grass and I like it very much. I think all players know how the platform affects the game. We can play to our strengths. Of course, HJK has adapted better to artificial turf, Cauly commented.
Šimundža expects an even match. Ludogorets is tied with Roma and thus competes for the next place, so without a win the Bulgarians don’t want to leave Finland.
– We know HJK’s way of playing. We have done our homework, as the nature of the competition requires. We have to adapt to the conditions, and I expect courage and a high-quality performance from my players, emphasizes the coach.
Number one in Bulgaria
Ludogorets beat AS Roma 2–1 at home. PDO
Ludogorets have won the last 11 Bulgarian championships. On their side, the team has been seen twice in the Champions League and now five times in the Europa League. When the more traditional teams CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia do not make it to the group stages, Ludogorets has gradually become the most followed football club in the whole country.
– Millions watch the European games in Bulgaria. But Balkan fans can be somewhat complicated characters, if you’ll allow my choice of words. Everyone follows their local team first. Ludogorets games are still interesting all over the country, a Bulgarian journalist Dragan Ivanov says Bolt at the Arena.
Ivanov is not expecting a large group of supporters from Bulgaria to Helsinki, nor is he expecting any unrest in the stands.
– Ludogorets supporters are not dangerous, but mostly calm, suitable for the whole family. They can’t even be compared to Levski or CSKA supporters.
Gong news media’s sports journalist warns HJK about the tenth place from Cauly mixed From Kiril Despodov, who succeeded in scoring against Betis. Ivanov took note of the artificial turf praised by the Brazilian, remembering that Ludogorets have lost three of their last four matches on artificial turf.
Keeper Sergio Patt probably fending off an injury-free away team goal. He can get a familiar man against him, because he played as a midfielder for HJK by David Browne with the Dutch Groningen team in 2016–2018.
The game between HJK and Ludogorets, sold out without a few tickets, starts on Thursday at Bolt Arena at 19:45.