Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Champions League, Europe
Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (Craiova)
Champions League
Universitatea CraiovaUCR
2 – 2
Levski SofiaLEV
Full Time
2nd Qualifying Round Leg 2 of 2 Aggregate : 2 - 3
Adrian Rus - 48'
Goal
|
Goal
Everton Bala - 13'
Aldair - 16'

CONTEXT

Match is finished. Universitatea Craiova 2–2 Levski Sofia. The match ended in a draw. Universitatea Craiova showed a moderate deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Possession-adjusted chance creation was in line with projected levels. The end result aligned with the pre-match projection. Possession was 55%–45%.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: A moderate 13.6 percent deviation was recorded for Universitatea Craiova.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency remained in line with expectations across both sides.
  • xG alignment: Outcome consistency with xG could not be evaluated due to absent metrics.
  • Market alignment: The final result proved aligned with pre-match market indicators.
  • xG expectations: Expected goals data remained unavailable throughout the fixture.
  • Event impact: The second-half rally produced a 2-2 draw after the 1-2 halftime deficit.
  • Red card distortion: Zero red cards were shown and no distortion occurred in match flow.
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
M. Marcenaro
M. Marcenaro
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
D. Imperiale
D. Imperiale
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
A. Zingarelli
A. Zingarelli
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
E. Feliciani
E. Feliciani
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
Universitatea Craiova F. Amaral Rino Coelho
F. Amaral Rino Coelho
VS
Levski Sofia J. Velázquez Santiago
J. Velázquez Santiago
2
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.33
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
Levski Sofia Rank: 64 L
ML Vitebsk Rank: W
ML Vitebsk Rank: W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Universitatea Craiova Rank: 75 W
Borac Banja Luka Rank: 65 W
Borac Banja Luka Rank: 64 D
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 1
1

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Universitatea Craiova
8.25%
Draw
86.41%
Away Levski Sofia
5.34%

Movement

Changes since opening
Universitatea Craiova
-1.82%
Draw
+2.52%
Levski Sofia
-0.7%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
73.71
66.82
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
Power Score
73.71
66.82
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
176
350

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

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

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

–
vs

Universitatea Craiova

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

Levski Sofia

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

Universitatea Craiova ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Levski Sofia
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
24.55
20.22
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
20.22
24.55
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
Universitatea Craiova +0.17 Efficiency Index
vs
Levski Sofia -0.17 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
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.

Universitatea Craiova ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Levski Sofia
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Universitatea Craiova Levski Sofia
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
Universitatea Craiova Levski Sofia
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.
Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
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.

–
Universitatea Craiova
vs
Levski Sofia
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Universitatea Craiova Levski Sofia
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
Universitatea Craiova 0.10
Levski Sofia 0.17
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Universitatea Craiova Levski Sofia
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
Universitatea Craiova 0.05
Levski Sofia 0.02
Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
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 40'.
  • LEV started the game with stronger pressure.
UCR Pressure LEV Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: UCR reached the top pressure at 40' (64.25).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 1 match between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Universitatea Craiova UCR Home
1 matches
Levski Sofia LEV Away
Match Record
0
Wins
1
0
Draws
0
1
Losses
0
Goals
0
Goals Scored
1
1
Goals Conceded
0
-1
Goal Difference
+1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-30T00:02:55+00:00

STARTING XI

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

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 Champions League, Europe · 2nd Qualifying Round · Leg 2 of 2 · Aggregate : 2 - 3
Stadium
Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (Craiova)
Capacity
30983
Pitch Surface
N/A
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Matteo Marcenaro
Davide Imperiale
Andrea Zingarelli
Ermanno Feliciani

Statistics

Possession
UCR
60%
LEV
40%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 2
13 Shots 3
90 Dangerous attacks 42
55 Possession 45
9 Corners 4
21 Free kicks 18
2 Yellow Cards 4

Match Overview

5 Substitutions 6
25 Throwins 12

Attacking

129 Attacks 85

Defensive

2 Saves 2

Discipline

4 Offsides 2
14 Fouls 18

Lineup

Referee : Matteo Marcenaro

Starting XI ▼

21
Laurențiu Popescu
Laurențiu Popescu Goalkeeper
5.88
6
Vladimir Screciu
Vladimir Screciu Defender
6.05
24
Nikola Stevanovic
Nikola Stevanovic Defender
6.05
8
Tudor Băluță
Tudor Băluță
Midfielder67'
6.5
28
Adrian Rus
Adrian Rus Defender
6.2
5
Anzor Mekvabishvili
Anzor Mekvabishvili Midfielder
6.27
22
Simon Elisor
Simon Elisor
Attacker77'
6.5
11
Nicușor Bancu
Nicușor Bancu (C) Midfielder
6.47
17
Carlos Mora
Carlos Mora Midfielder
6.27
23
Samuel Teles
Samuel Teles
Midfielder59'
6.5
20
Alexandru Cicâldău
Alexandru Cicâldău Midfielder
6.27
30
David Matei
David Matei Midfielder
6.38
19
Heri Tavares
Heri Tavares
Attacker77'
6.5
7
Steven Nsimba
Steven Nsimba Attacker
6.43
10
Ștefan Baiaram
Ștefan Baiaram Attacker
6.39
12
Monday Etim
Monday Etim
Attacker59'
6.5
Referee : Matteo Marcenaro

Starting XI ▼

92
Svetoslav Vutsov
Svetoslav Vutsov Goalkeeper
5.88
3
Maicon
Maicon Defender
6.04
21
Aldair
Aldair Defender
6.41
20
Álex Centelles
Álex Centelles
Defender46'
6.26
31
Nikola Serafimov
Nikola Serafimov Defender
6.25
4
Christian Makoun
Christian Makoun
Defender46'
6.26
50
Kristian Dimitrov
Kristian Dimitrov (C) Defender
6.05
11
Armstrong Oko-Flex
Armstrong Oko-Flex Midfielder
6.27
22
Mazire Soula
Mazire Soula
Midfielder55'
6.5
17
Everton Bala
Everton Bala Midfielder
6.84
18
Gasper Trdin
Gasper Trdin
Midfielder77'
6.5
19
Mehdi Moubarik
Mehdi Moubarik Midfielder
6.27
35
Serginho
Serginho Midfielder
6.38
47
Akram Bouras
Akram Bouras Midfielder
6.23
7
Reinaldo
Reinaldo Attacker
6.43
9
Juan Perea
Juan Perea
Attacker87'

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Adrian Rus
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
88'
87'
Event
Juan Perea → Reinaldo
10th Substitution
Event
Simon Elisor → Anzor Mekvabishvili
7th Substitution
77'
Event
Heri Tavares → David Matei
8th Substitution
77'
77'
Event
Gasper Trdin → Everton Bala
9th Substitution
Event
Tudor Băluță → Nikola Stevanovic
6th Substitution
67'
Event
Monday Etim → Ștefan Baiaram
4th Substitution
59'
Event
Samuel Teles → Carlos Mora
5th Substitution
59'
55'
Event
Mazire Soula  → Armstrong Oko-Flex
3rd Substitution
55'
Event
Akram Bouras
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Adrian Rus
Field Goal / 4th Goal
48'
46'
Event
Álex Centelles → Aldair
1st Substitution
46'
Event
Christian Makoun → Nikola Serafimov
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
45+3'
Event
Maicon
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
Event
Nicușor Bancu 
Field Goal / 3rd Goal
45+2'
Event
Ștefan Baiaram
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
33'
26'
Event
Aldair
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
16'
Event
Aldair
Field Goal / 2nd Goal
13'
Event
Everton Bala
Field Goal / 1st Goal
9'
Event
Nikola Serafimov
Foul / 1st Yellowcard

Match Commentary

89
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
88
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Adrian Rusu receives a yellow card.
87
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Adrian Rusu receives a yellow card.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
78
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Gasper Trdin is replaced by Everton Bala.
77
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
77
Update Update
Heriberto Tavares comes on for Matei David.
77
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
68
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
67
Update Update
Cristian Baluta is on, and Nikola Stevanovic is off.
62
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
59
Substitution Substitution
Samuel Teles Pereira Nunes Silva is substituted off for Juan Carlos Morales.
59
Update Update
On Monday, Etim replaces Stefan Baiaram.
55
Substitution Substitution
Mazire Soula is substituted for Armstrong Okoflex.
55
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Bala of Everton.
48
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Adrian Rusu scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
46
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Alex Centelles comes on for Aldair Neves.
46
Substitution Substitution
Christian Makoun is substituted off for Nikola Serafimov.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Maicon.
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-2.
39
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
34
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Stefan Baiaram receives a yellow card.
32
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
26
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Aldair Neves receives a yellow card.
25
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
23
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
22
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
16
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-2.
15
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
9
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Nikola Serafimov.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Matteo Marcenaro.

CONCLUSION

The 2-2 draw capped a resilient response from Universitatea Craiova after they fell behind early in both halves. Levski Sofia defended their aggregate advantage effectively despite surrendering the lead in the closing stages. Possession favored the home team yet clear-cut chances remained limited for either attack. The absence of disciplinary incidents allowed both sides to maintain full squads and tactical setups until the final whistle. Advancement for the visitors highlighted the importance of the first-leg result in shaping the overall tie. Craiova showed character in leveling the score but could not overturn the deficit entirely. The match illustrated balanced efficiency without major distortions from external factors.