Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Champions League, Europe
Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov Wed, 22 Jul - 5:30 PM
Champions League
Levski SofiaLEV
1 0
Universitatea CraiovaUCR
Full Time Wed, 22 Jul 5:30 PM
2nd Qualifying Round Leg 1 of 2
Goal
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CONTEXT

In the opening leg of their two-legged knockout encounter Levski Sofia hosted Universitatea Craiova and emerged with a narrow 1-0 victory. The home team struck early to lead 1-0 at the interval. Despite ceding possession at 43 percent to the visitors 57 percent Levski maintained defensive solidity throughout the contest. No red cards were issued to either side during the match. The designated stronger side failed to convert their territorial advantage into an equalizer. A notable deviation of 59.4 percent was recorded with Levski as the deviation team. Efficiency metrics aligned closely with established patterns from prior assessments. The single goal scored proved sufficient to secure the advantage heading into the return fixture.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Levski Sofia exhibited a significant structural deviation of 59.4 percent as the deviation team.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with pre-match indicators.
  • xG alignment: xG alignment could not be determined due to absence of expected goals data.
  • Market alignment: The outcome was market aligned according to available metrics.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations remain unassessed without underlying data.
  • Event impact: The sole goal in the first half proved decisive in the 1-0 result.
  • Red card distortion: Absence of red cards meant no distortion from dismissals occurred.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
A. Ladebäck
A. Ladebäck
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
M. Culum
M. Culum
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
D. Yng
D. Yng
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Al Hakim
M. Al Hakim
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Levski Sofia J. Velázquez Santiago
J. Velázquez Santiago
VS
Universitatea Craiova F. Amaral Rino Coelho
F. Amaral Rino Coelho
2
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
3
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
Borac Banja Luka Rank: 65 W
Borac Banja Luka Rank: 64 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
3 i
Last 6 Opponents
ML Vitebsk Rank: W
ML Vitebsk Rank: W
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Levski Sofia
40.62%
Draw
29.93%
Away Universitatea Craiova
29.44%

Movement

Changes since opening
Levski Sofia
-55.02%
Draw
+26.21%
Universitatea Craiova
+28.8%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
65.33
74.64
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
Power Score
65.33
74.64
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
375
145

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Levski Sofia — Opponent-weighted form score
Universitatea Craiova — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Levski Sofia Universitatea Craiova

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Levski Sofia

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Universitatea Craiova

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Levski Sofia ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Universitatea Craiova
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
26.05
21.93
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
21.93
26.05
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Levski Sofia +0.35 Efficiency Index
vs
Universitatea Craiova -0.35 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Levski Sofia ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Universitatea Craiova
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Levski Sofia Universitatea Craiova
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Levski Sofia Universitatea Craiova
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Levski Sofia
vs
Universitatea Craiova
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Levski Sofia Universitatea Craiova
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Levski Sofia 0.13
Universitatea Craiova 0.13
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Levski Sofia Universitatea Craiova
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Levski Sofia 0.00
Universitatea Craiova 0.02
Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • UCR had peak pressure around 20'.
  • LEV started the game with stronger pressure.
LEV Pressure UCR Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: UCR reached the top pressure at 20' (49.72).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-4-2
Match Formation 3-4-3
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 22, 2026, 05:30 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Champions League, Europe · 2nd Qualifying Round · Leg 1 of 2
Stadium
Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov
Capacity
29200
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Adam Ladebäck
Mehmet Culum
Daniel Yng
Mohammed Al Hakim

Statistics

Possession
LEV
47%
UCR
53%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 0
4 Shots 13
64 Dangerous attacks 70
43 Possession 57
3 Corners 4
7 Free kicks 15
3 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

99 Ball Safe 95
7 Goal Attempts 9
5 Substitutions 4
20 Throwins 18

Attacking

112 Attacks 134

Defensive

1 Saves 4

Discipline

2 Offsides 2
12 Fouls 7

Lineup

Referee : Adam Ladebäck

Starting XI ▼

92
Svetoslav Vutsov
Svetoslav Vutsov Goalkeeper
6.5
3
Maicon
Maicon Defender
6.49
21
Aldair
Aldair Defender
6.49
31
Nikola Serafimov
Nikola Serafimov Defender
6.5
50
Kristian Dimitrov
Kristian Dimitrov (C) Defender
6.69
11
Armstrong Oko-Flex
Armstrong Oko-Flex Midfielder
6.5
20
Álex Centelles
Álex Centelles
Defender64'
6.5
17
Everton Bala
Everton Bala Midfielder
6.45
27
David Kusso
David Kusso
Midfielder79'
6.5
19
Mehdi Moubarik
Mehdi Moubarik Midfielder
6.5
18
Gasper Trdin
Gasper Trdin
Midfielder46'
6.5
35
Serginho
Serginho Midfielder
6.61
22
Mazire Soula
Mazire Soula
Midfielder89'
47
Akram Bouras
Akram Bouras Midfielder
6.5
7
Reinaldo
Reinaldo Attacker
6.5
28
Steven Stoyanchov
Steven Stoyanchov
Attacker89'
Referee : Adam Ladebäck

Starting XI ▼

21
Laurențiu Popescu
Laurențiu Popescu Goalkeeper
6.12
3
Oleksandr Romanchuk
Oleksandr Romanchuk Defender
6.25
6
Vladimir Screciu
Vladimir Screciu Defender
6.26
28
Adrian Rus
Adrian Rus Defender
6.26
5
Anzor Mekvabishvili
Anzor Mekvabishvili Midfielder
6.37
8
Tudor Băluță
Tudor Băluță
Midfielder75'
6.5
11
Nicușor Bancu
Nicușor Bancu (C) Midfielder
6.37
17
Carlos Mora
Carlos Mora Midfielder
6.37
20
Alexandru Cicâldău
Alexandru Cicâldău Midfielder
6.37
10
Ștefan Baiaram
Ștefan Baiaram Attacker
6.42
19
Heri Tavares
Heri Tavares
Attacker75'
6.5
12
Monday Etim
Monday Etim Attacker
6.46
23
Samuel Teles
Samuel Teles
Midfielder80'
6.5
22
Simon Elisor
Simon Elisor Attacker
6.46
7
Steven Nsimba
Steven Nsimba
Attacker62'
6.5

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Maicon
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
90+1'
Event
Mazire Soula  → Serginho
8th Substitution
89'
Event
Steven Stoyanchov → Reinaldo
9th Substitution
89'
80'
Event
Samuel Teles → Monday Etim
7th Substitution
Event
David Kusso → Everton Bala
6th Substitution
79'
75'
Event
Tudor Băluță → Anzor Mekvabishvili
4th Substitution
75'
Event
Heri Tavares → Ștefan Baiaram
5th Substitution
Event
Álex Centelles → Armstrong Oko-Flex
3rd Substitution
64'
62'
Event
Steven Nsimba → Simon Elisor
2nd Substitution
Event
Everton Bala
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
50'
Event
Gasper Trdin → Mehdi Moubarik
1st Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
Event
Aldair
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
41'
41'
Event
Ștefan Baiaram
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
34'
Event
Oleksandr Romanchuk
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
Event
Kristian Dimitrov 
Field Goal / 1st Goal
8'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Maicon receives a yellow card.
89
Update Update
Mazire Soula is on, and Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo is off.
89
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Maicon receives a yellow card.
80
Update Update
On Samuel Teles Pereira Nunes Silva, off Monday Etim.
79
Update Update
David Kusso is on, and Everton Bala is off.
75
Substitution Substitution
Cristian Baluta is substituted off for Anzor Mekvabishvili.
75
Update Update
Heriberto Tavares comes on for Stefan Baiaram.
73
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
64
Substitution Substitution
Alex Centelles is substituted for Armstrong Okoflex.
62
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Steven Nsimba comes on for Simon Elisor.
61
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
58
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
51
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
50
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Bala of Everton.
46
Update Update
Gasper Trdin is on, and El Mehdi Moubarik is off.
42
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Aldair Neves receives a yellow card.
42
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Nicusor Bancu receives a yellow card.
34
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Oleksandr Romanchuk.
30
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
22
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
8
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Kristian Dimitrov scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo.
8
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
2
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Adam Ladeback.

CONCLUSION

Final score detail: Levski Sofia 1-0 Universitatea Craiova. Structural assessment: Levski Sofia exhibited a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Efficiency outcome: Possession-adjusted chance creation finished in line with projected levels. Result alignment: The final score was consistent with the pre-match probability model. Market alignment: The match result was within the projected probability range.