Ludogorets 1945 (Bulgaria) v Shamrock Rovers
Huvepharma Arena, Razgrad, 6.45pm (Live on RTÉ 2)
Ironically, the devaluing benefit of dominating Bulgaria’s domestic scene leaves these 11-in-a-row champions exposed to a mugging. Not that Shamrock Rovers can conceivably turn up in full working order after splitting the squad to get from Dublin to Razgrad and the way Maltese champions Hibernians kicked themselves out of the Champions League first round.
“Yes, we had a few knocks from that game, a few kicks, which was to be expected considering the challenges that went in,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. “But overall, nothing serious and everyone is okay.”
More troubling than bruised bodies is the calibre of opposition seven days after that taxing night in Malta. Ludogorets manager Ante Šimundža ticked all the respectful boxes about the Irish visitors; Rovers have an advantage of being in midseason shape coupled with the usual “aggressiveness” label.
“We know, let’s say, almost everything about them,” said Šimundža, a former Slovenia international. “We know the way they play, we know what they are capable of and what their best and weakest sides are.
“The important thing is we try to adapt and try to force our style of play, especially at home. The important thing is that we won’t think about ourselves, with big respect to the opponent.”
Interpretation: losing to the high kings of Ireland would be a national disgrace as Ludogorets are the Bulgarian version of Rovers. Except they further down the tracks. Since first capturing the league title in 2012, they have refused to let go. The Europa Conference League is not in their vocabulary. Twice they reached the Champions League group stage, as recently as 2017, and in 2014 they made the last 16 of the Europa League.
On paper they are what Rovers hope to become by 2030. They have made meaningful progress year on year, which severely damages the progress of their local rivals. The once dominant CSKA Sofia have not won the league since 2008, finishing runners-up last season by a gaping 12 points.
How did Ludogorets come from nowhere to be stacked full of South Americans and Europeans? Why is Ghanaian winger Bernard Tekpetey, lethal off both feet, rejecting moves to the Dutch or Portuguese leagues?
Built to conquer by billionaire industrialist Kiril Domuschiev, the intent is to envelope and strangle Rovers into a quick submission, in the same manner they dispatched Montenegro champions Sutjeska.
“We know they’re a very, very good team,” said Bradley. “You only have to watch 10 minutes of them and you can see their pedigree, and what they’ve done the last few years tells you that. So, we’ve got to make sure that we’re at our very best.
“Their system never changes, 4-3-3, very attacking and we expect that from the start.
“We’ve played top teams before, it is nothing new. We were here against Slovan, we were here against Milan and would have been against Limassol as well. So, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gone into a European game and not been favourites. We know it’s tough opposition and a few levels up, but we’ll be ready for it.”
Last season Rovers were overrun away to Slovan Bratislava and Flora Taillinn, as the Slovakian and Estonian clubs had too much pace and power in transition.
“We hope our experiences last year and the year before will definitely stand to us.”
Bradley’s squad has improved with Jack Byrne’s return and Andy Lyons arrival from Bohemians. Yet it feels temporary. Lyons could be next to fly the coop as Blackpool have reportedly doubled their offer for the Ireland under-21 wing back.
Despite the constant departures, Rovers remain domestically dominant but a European work in progress. Considering what went before, this first leg offers a forensic examination of Bradley’s ambitious intent.
“That annoys me, the moral victories,” said European veteran Ronan Finn. “Irish teams, I’ve experienced enough, you do well, put on a performance before you fall. That is something we are trying to change, I think the manager is building a group to do more than challenge, to actually succeed.
“I feel now we are coming to the stage where we have a very strong squad and we want to compete at the highest level.”
Win or lose the next round opponents will be Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) or KF Shkupi (North Macedonia) in either the Champions League or the Europa League qualifier. Staying in the former competition would be a landmark achievement in Rovers 123-year history. “He’s had a really good year so far but he’s been a good player for a long time, injuries have been a problem for him, as much as anything, over the last couple of years, but he seems to be fully fit at the moment.
“He is firing on all cylinders; he’s going to take stopping.”
