CSKA Sofia II Edges Sevlievo in Tight Contest to Climb Second League Table
The chill in the autumn air at Rakovski Stadium did little to cool the tension between Sevlievo and CSKA Sofia II, as the visitors from the capital left with a hard-earned 2-1 victory that underlined their steady climb up the Bulgarian Second League standings. The match, played with a blend of grit and moments of quality, saw CSKA Sofia II jump to seventh place, while Sevlievo’s recent flicker of promise was dimmed by their inability to claw back after conceding twice.
From the first whistle, both sides approached the match with an awareness of the stakes. Sevlievo, hovering near the relegation zone, had shown glimpses of resilience—notably in their last five outings, which included a gutsy 2-2 cup draw against Chernolomets 1919 and a narrow 1-0 away win at Spartak Pleven. But against the youthful energy and technical fluency of CSKA Sofia II, the hosts found themselves on the back foot early, struggling to contain their opponents’ midfield rotations and quick transitions.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute, and it was a moment that encapsulated both the frustration of the hosts and the opportunism of the visitors. A contentious penalty decision—one that sent the home fans into a chorus of protest—allowed CSKA Sofia II to take the lead. The spot-kick, dispatched with cool precision, silenced the stands and set the tone for the remainder of the first half. Sevlievo, to their credit, refused to buckle, pressing high and testing the visitors’ defense with a series of crosses and set pieces, but they went into the break trailing by the slimmest of margins.
The second half began with renewed urgency from both sides, but it was CSKA Sofia II who struck again, just before the hour mark. A swift counterattack, orchestrated by their dynamic midfield, culminated in a clinical finish that doubled their advantage in the 57th minute. The goal not only showcased the visitors’ superior speed and cohesion but also highlighted the fragility of Sevlievo’s defensive structure, which had conceded nine times in their previous five matches.
Yet, the hosts refused to be counted out. In the 72nd minute, a moment of individual brilliance—a sharply taken shot from outside the box—reduced the deficit and breathed life into the contest. The goal galvanized the home crowd and forced CSKA Sofia II into a more cautious approach, as Sevlievo threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. The final 20 minutes were a pulsating affair, with both teams trading chances and the woodwork rattled at both ends. No red cards were shown, but the intensity and physicality of the match never relented.
The scoreline, though, remained unchanged, and as the final whistle echoed across the stadium, the contrast in body language spoke volumes. CSKA Sofia II’s players embraced, buoyed by a result that moved them to 15 points from 11 matches and within sight of the promotion playoffs. Their recent form—highlighted by a 6-0 demolition of Sportist Svoge and a 4-1 rout of Etar Veliko Tarnovo—suggests a team gathering momentum at a crucial stage of the season. Sevlievo, meanwhile, trudged off with heads bowed, their 10 points from as many games leaving them perilously close to the drop zone. Their recent results—a mixture of plucky draws and sobering defeats—underscored the inconsistency that has haunted their campaign.
Historically, meetings between these sides have been closely contested, but CSKA Sofia II’s greater depth and tactical flexibility proved decisive on this occasion. While both teams were without a recognized goalscorer on the scoresheet—the scorer of all three goals remains unidentified—the match was decided by moments of composure in front of goal and the ability to capitalize on critical mistakes.
Looking ahead, the implications are clear. For CSKA Sofia II, this victory is more than three points—it’s a statement of intent, a sign that the youth project in the capital is bearing fruit and that a push for promotion is within reach. For Sevlievo, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Survival, rather than ambition, is now the priority, and the coming weeks will test their resolve and capacity to grind out results against fellow strugglers.
In Bulgarian football’s unforgiving lower tiers, momentum is everything. At Rakovski Stadium, the visitors seized it. The hosts, for all their effort, must now find a way to stop the slide.