CSKA Sofia vs OFI Crete: the return leg in Sofia for a place in the league phase
CSKA Sofia and OFI Crete enter the final qualifying tie for the Europa League with very different levels of match rhythm this season. The Bulgarian club has already overcome three European hurdles and played five league rounds, while OFI had only one competitive match in the new season before this tie. This contrast between the hosts' competitive rhythm and the freshness of the Greek team is one of the key contexts for the return leg at Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski.
The first match is played in Heraklion, while the return leg in Sofia decides who will continue into the league phase of the Europa League. The loser of the tie will not be left without European football in the autumn, but will move into the league phase of the Conference League. Both teams therefore have a safety net, but also a very clear sporting motivation: to finish the qualifiers at the higher level of competition.
For a supporter planning a trip to Sofia, this means a match with serious stakes, at a large stadium in the central part of the city and in front of a crowd that has already shown this season that it can create intense pressure on European nights. It is worth securing tickets in time.
CSKA Sofia arrives with results and competitive rhythm
CSKA Sofia's biggest advantage ahead of the tie is continuity of matches. Hristo Yanev's team has four wins and one draw after five rounds of the Bulgarian league, with a goal difference of 13:3 and 13 points collected. At that point, only Ludogorets is ahead with the maximum 15 points.
The attacking form particularly stands out. Joël Zwarts scored five goals in his first five league appearances, Leandro Godoy two in three, and Ioannis Pittas two in four. Yanev therefore has several different solutions for finishing attacks and exploiting space behind the defence.
CSKA reached the play-offs through a series of matches that were tactically very different. Against Derry City, they advanced with victories in both matches, against Qarabag they did not concede a goal across two games, and then against Maccabi Tel Aviv they perhaps took their most dramatic step: they won 3:0 away, lost 1:3 in Sofia and advanced 4:3 on aggregate.
That return leg against Maccabi is also important as a warning. CSKA showed that they can be very effective when they have space for transitions, but also that a large advantage does not automatically mean control of the match. OFI will therefore very likely look for moments when the home midfield is positioned too high and the defensive line has to defend a larger area.
- CSKA Sofia: 13 points from the first five league rounds
- League goal difference: 13:3
- Joël Zwarts: five league goals
- Leandro Godoy and Ioannis Pittas: two league goals each
- Against Maccabi Tel Aviv, advancement with a 4:3 aggregate score
Sensi and Jordão provide control in midfield
Stefano Sensi and Bruno Jordão are particularly important in midfield. Sensi scored in the 1:3 home defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv, while his ability to receive the ball between the opposition's lines gives CSKA a way out of the press. Jordão is important for balance, especially when the wide players move high up the pitch.
Before the first match against OFI, both were one card away from suspension for the return leg. Their status for the match in Sofia therefore depends on what happens in Heraklion. This is one of the things that should be checked after the first match, because the possible absence of either of them could significantly change the way CSKA builds its attacks.
The situation with Ángelo Martino is also important. The left-sided full-back was injured against Septemvri Sofia, missed the league match against Botev Vratsa, and Yanev said ahead of the first game against OFI that he hoped to be able to use him specifically in the return leg. His return would be important because CSKA, in a system with three centre-backs or very high-positioned wide players, looks for width from the back line.
OFI Crete arrives with fewer matches, but with a clear identity
OFI enters the tie as the winner of the Greek Cup and Super Cup. This is a team that has gained experience in recent months in matches where trophies are at stake, but at the same time had significantly less competitive rhythm than CSKA Sofia at the start of the new season.
Coach Christos Kontis highlighted precisely that before the first match: by that point, his team had played only one competitive game, while CSKA had already played eleven. Kontis did not announce a retreat or a plan to simply wait for the opponent, but insists that OFI should play its own game and adjust details, rather than its entire identity, to the opposition.
In the previous league season, Taxiarchis Fountas and Thiago Nuss were among the important attacking players. Fountas finished with nine league goals, Nuss with seven, and both remain in the squad for this European tie. Fountas can operate from the left side or in a narrower position behind the striker, while Nuss provides directness and dribbling. The current squad also includes Aitor Cantalapiedra, Aaron Leya Iseka and young Giannis Theodosoulakis, so Kontis has several player profiles available to change the rhythm during the match.
In OFI's most recently recorded starting formation, the team used a 3-4-2-1, with two players behind the central striker. Such a formation naturally creates numerical presence in midfield, but places major demands on the wide players. Against CSKA, this could be crucial: if OFI loses the ball while both flanks are high, the hosts have attackers who can very quickly exploit the space behind them.
One confirmed problem in OFI's squad
Nikos Marinakis is not in the registered squad for the tie. OFI announced on 18 August that he had continued therapy, while Greek and Bulgarian sources state that an injury problem is keeping him out of the matches against CSKA. This reduces Kontis's options on the right side of the defence.
On the other hand, Dimitris Nikolaou, Achilleas Poungouras, Zisis Karachalios, Thanasis Androutsos and Andreas Bouchalakis are in the squad. The bigger question is how quickly the team can reach the intensity of an opponent that has already been playing high-stakes matches for weeks.
Where the return leg could be decided tactically
If the first match in Heraklion leaves the tie open, the beginning of the return leg in Sofia could be the most important part of the evening. CSKA has reason to start aggressively at home, particularly because it has already shown in the domestic league that it can quickly create a succession of chances. OFI, on the other hand, must prevent the match from turning into an open exchange of transitions too early.
For CSKA, it will be important how Sensi, Jordão and the other midfielders play their way out of the first press. If the hosts manage to force OFI's wide players to drop back, Zwarts, Godoy or Pittas can gain more space in the centre of the penalty area. If OFI maintains its high positioning and forces CSKA into longer balls, the visitors can turn the match into a physical duel and a battle for second balls.
For OFI, the area behind the home side's wide players is particularly interesting. Fountas and Nuss have enough pace and individual quality to attack that space, while Aitor can help retain possession between the lines. Kontis will probably try to combine short attacks through the middle with quick switches of play, rather than spending the entire match in a deep block.
The emotional aspect is also important. Against Maccabi in Sofia, CSKA went from a 3:0 advantage from the first match to a situation where the aggregate score became very tight. OFI will know that the home crowd can be an enormous advantage for CSKA, but also that every away goal can change the mood in the stands.
Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski and the atmosphere of the return leg
Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski is located at 38 Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Blvd. in Sofia, next to Borisova gradina and close to the wider city centre. The city's tourism website lists a capacity of 43,358.
CSKA has already played a European return leg at the same stadium against Maccabi Tel Aviv in front of more than 20,000 spectators. This is a good indication of the intensity OFI can expect if the tie remains undecided until the second match. The stadium is large, but with sufficiently full central sectors and a loud supporters' section, the atmosphere quickly transfers onto the pitch.
Seats in the stands for a return leg like this can become sought-after, so it is sensible to arrange tickets before matchday, particularly for supporters travelling to Sofia from another country.
How to get to the stadium
The location is convenient for visitors because the stadium is not on a distant city outskirts. The easiest option for many travellers will be the metro, especially because the Vasil Levski Stadium station is named after the venue itself.
- Address: 38 Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Blvd., Sofia
- Metro: Vasil Levski Stadium station
- Nearby tram lines: 10, 12 and 18
- Bus lines listed for the stadium: 72, 76, 84, 94, 184, 204, 304 and 604
- Special parking for this match is not listed in the verified sources, so the metro is the safer option
The metro connects Sofia Airport and Vasil Levski Stadium station, making it practical for travellers arriving by plane as well. From the wider city centre, part of the journey can also be completed on foot, especially from the areas around Sofia University and Eagles' Bridge.
The exact opening time of the entrances for this match had not been published in the sources used for this guide at the time the guide was prepared. Because of security checks and possible queues, it makes sense to arrive earlier, particularly if a larger attendance is expected. Arrival immediately before kick-off should not be planned.
Sofia before and after the match
The stadium lies between central Sofia and the large green space of Borisova gradina, so visitors do not have to build their entire day around travelling to a distant arena. The area around Eagles' Bridge, Sofia University and Vasil Levski Boulevard provides enough options for arriving on foot or by public transport from much of the city centre.
For visiting supporters, the most important thing is to follow any special instructions concerning entrances, sectors and movement around the stadium that may be published after the first match. Police and traffic measures for European fixtures can change the usual approaches, so relying on the metro and allowing extra time is a better strategy than counting on parking right next to the stadium.
For a supporter travelling only because of the match, accommodation in central neighbourhoods with metro access is practical, avoiding the need for a car on matchday.
What to follow after the first match in Heraklion
The most important piece of information for the return leg will, of course, be the result of the first match. But cards, possible injuries and the workload of key players should be monitored just as closely. Between the two European matches, CSKA has a league match against Lokomotiv Sofia, while OFI has a league obligation against Volos NFC. This means that both coaches will have to balance domestic points with the decisive return leg.
Three things in particular should be checked:
- the status of Stefano Sensi and Bruno Jordão after the first match
- whether Ángelo Martino is ready to return to the CSKA squad
- whether OFI will retain the same formation with three players in the back line or adjust its structure to the result from Heraklion
CSKA enters this tie with more competitive matches played, better rhythm and attackers who are already in goalscoring form. OFI responds with the experience of winning two domestic trophies, technically strong players behind the striker and a coach who clearly says that he does not want to completely change his style because of the opponent.
In Sofia, therefore, a match should not be expected in which one side automatically gives up the initiative. If the result of the first match remains close, the return leg could stay tactically closed for a long time and then open up with a single goal or card. It is worth securing tickets in time and planning to arrive at the stadium with enough extra time for crowds around the entrances.
Sources:
- 365Scores - current Bulgarian league table, CSKA Sofia results and schedule
- DailySports - CSKA Sofia league goalscorers in the 2026/27 season
- FotMob - form, line-ups and player statistics for CSKA Sofia and OFI Crete
- OFI Crete FC and Dsport.bg - squad, team preparation and the status of Nikos Marinakis
- BTA and BNT News - statements by Hristo Yanev and Christos Kontis ahead of the first match
- Gol.bg - cards for Stefano Sensi and Bruno Jordão and Ángelo Martino's recovery
- Maccabi Tel Aviv FC - results of the tie against CSKA Sofia in the previous qualifying round
- Fakti - attendance at CSKA's previous European return leg in Sofia
- Visit Sofia - address, capacity and public transport lines for Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski
- Metro Sofia - metro network and Vasil Levski Stadium station