Malmo FF’s pitiful record in recent European group stage games continued (W1, D2, L14) as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the UEFA Europa League, League Phase.
Looking to overcome such a dismal record in the competition, the hosts got off to a nightmare start. Although it initially went unpunished, a VAR review showed that Gabriel Busanello hauled Edvin Kurtulus down at the backpost whilst defending a set-piece.
Despite the delay, Petar Stanic kept his cool to dispatch the resultant penalty into the bottom corner to silence the Eleda Stadion.
Malmo appeared to recover from the early setback as they took control of the game, but they shot themselves in the foot midway through the half for a second time.
Again, defending set pieces proved to be their Achilles heel, as Robin Olsen spilled a cross at the feet of Eric Bile and the Ivorian striker gleefully dispatched the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Hugo Bolin was the most dangerous attacking force for the Swedish side, and he had a sight of goal just before half-time, but Sergio Padt did excellently to narrow the angle and saved the shot with his knees.
The second half was greeted with a vibrant home crowd expecting to see an onslaught on the Ludogorets goal, but the reality was more of the same as the visitors looked more dangerous in attack.
A golden chance to seal the victory came just before the hour mark as Caio Vidal dashed through on goal, but Olsen saved his tame effort before Colin Rosler cleared Stanic’s follow-up off the line.
Just when it looked like the game was slipping away, the hosts did find a way back into the match out of nowhere. Lasse Berg Johnsen’s shot from the edge of the area didn’t look like it would trouble Padt, but a big deflection left the goalkeeper helpless to make it 2-1.
But despite throwing everyone forward in the final stages, the hosts couldn’t find the vital leveller.
With 24 qualification places up for grabs, there’s still plenty of time for Malmo to turn this around. However, the victory away from home represents an excellent start for Ludogorets, with ten points already representing a qualifying tally from last year.