CSKA hope to match Levski fire power
10.8.07, 19:10 by Stoyan Georgiev, uefa.com
Only once since 1999 has the Bulgarian title eluded either PFC Levski Sofia or PFC CSKA Sofia and the capital rivals are tipped to lead the way again this season. Levski took the crown for the second successive campaign in 2006/07, finishing five points above CSKA. Both teams conceded 13 goals in 30 games, but Levski struck 96 compared with CSKA's 68 and they also lifted the Bulgarian Cup and the recent Bulgarian Super Cup.

Free-scoring Levski
The Blues may be even more determined following their surprise UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Finland's Tampere United, a far cry from their group stage heroics last term. Despite that result, the champions were not resting on their laurels this summer: coach Stanimir Stoilov signed Macedonian international Darko Tasevski, and young Morocco defenders Chakib Benzoukane and Youssef Rabeh.

CSKA look to Portugal
CSKA have looked to the Portuguese Liga to boost their strike force. Brazilian forward Nei arrived from A. Naval 1° Maio along with Z? Rui and former Bulgarian international Georgi Chilikov (CD Nacional), Nigerian attacker Kevin Amuneke (Vit?ria FC) and Panama's Jos? Luis Garc?s (CF Os Belenenses). Midfielder Todor Yanchev has also returned to the club after a spell with Denmark's Randers FC, while Dutch defender Quido Lanzaat and Montenegrin Under-21 international Nikola Vujadinovi? have reinforced CSKA's back line.

Litex challenge
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia pushed the big two all the way last season but they have lost the league's leading scorer Tsvetan Genkov to FC Dinamo Moskva. It may be that PFC Litex Lovech – who finished fourth last term and lost the Bulgarian Cup final to Levski – are the dark horses this time around. Local hero Ferario Spasov has begun his third spell in charge after Ljubo Petrovi?'s departure, and has recruited three Frenchmen in defenders C?dric Uras and C?dric Cambon and midfielder Fabien Boudar?ne. With Litex's first three fixtures including the visits of CSKA and Levski, they have an immediate chance to state their credentials.

Coaching changes
Several other clubs start the campaign with new coaches. Macedonian trainer Stevica Kuzmanosvki has been appointed by PFC Slavia Sofia; Miroslav Mitev will lead PFC Belasitsa Petrich; young Portuguese tactician Rui Dias is at the PFC Vihren Sandanski helm; and Radoslav Zdravkov has replaced Eduard Eranosyan at PFC Beroe Stara Zagora.

Comments (0):

<< Home