CSKA Sofia Advances Past Qarabag in Tactical Stalemate

CSKA Sofia and Qarabag produced a tense, tactical stalemate at Vasil Levski National Sports Academy, with the Bulgarian side ultimately progressing 5-4 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes in this UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round tie. The match was defined less by clear chances and more by structure, discipline and contrasting approaches: CSKA Sofia in a compact 4-1-4-1 built on duels and vertical transitions, Qarabag in a 4-2-3-1 that sought to dominate territory and possession. Over two hours, Qarabag’s control (58% possession, 10 corners) was repeatedly blunted by CSKA’s physical and positional resistance, at the cost of a heavy foul and card count.

From the outset, Hristo Yanev’s 4-1-4-1 for CSKA Sofia was clearly designed to congest central zones. F. Lapoukhov was nominally listed without a position but stationed in the first line, with Pastor, T. Ivanov, F. Rodriguez and Ángelo Martino forming a flat back four. In front of them, J. Gbamin sat as the single pivot, screening Qarabag’s No. 10 zone and providing cover for aggressive full-back defending. Ahead, a four-man band of M. Ebong, S. Sensi, Bruno Jordão and I. Pittas supported lone striker Leandro Godoy.

The structure asked the wide midfielders to collapse inside when out of possession, turning the 4-1-4-1 into a narrow 4-5-1 block. That compactness forced Qarabag to circulate around the block rather than through it, and explains why, despite having more of the ball, the visitors ended with just 5 shots on goal and a high number of blocked efforts (7). Central defenders Pastor and T. Ivanov were repeatedly aggressive in stepping out, trusting Gbamin to plug the gaps behind them.

Qarabag, under Qurban Qurbanov, mirrored their usual 4-2-3-1 identity. M. Kochalski started in goal, with a back four of Matheus Silva, B. Huseynov, B. Varkonyi and E. Cafarquliyev. The double pivot of Pedro Bicalho and M. Janković underpinned a creative line of O. Kashchuk, Kady Borges and A. Zoubir behind striker Z. Sawo. With 58% possession, Qarabag built through Bicalho and Janković, attempting to pin CSKA’s midfield back and stretch the home side laterally.

The statistical pattern underlines the tactical story: Qarabag’s 10 corner kicks to CSKA’s 2 indicate sustained pressure and territorial advantage, particularly in wide areas where overlaps and half-space combinations drew blocks rather than clear looks at goal. CSKA, by contrast, generated only 3 shots on goal and 6 off target, relying on isolated transitions and set-pieces rather than sustained possession (42%). Their 26 fouls versus Qarabag’s 14 show how heavily they leaned on physical disruption to break the visitors’ rhythm.

Discipline became a key tactical lever. CSKA Sofia accumulated 6 yellow cards, Qarabag 3. For the hosts, Bruno Jordão’s booking at 39' set the tone in midfield, while Leandro Godoy’s card at 48' reflected the forwards’ role as first defenders in an aggressive press. James Eto’o, Ángelo Martino, Teodor Ivanov and Joël Zwarts were all cautioned in extra time, illustrating how CSKA’s back line and substitutes were forced to make increasingly desperate interventions as legs tired and Qarabag continued to probe.

Qarabag’s three yellows, to Marko Janković, Bence Várkonyi and Joni Montiel, were spread across midfield and defence, but their lower foul count (14) suggests a more controlled pressing scheme. Their 4-2-3-1 relied on positional pressing and rest defence rather than repeated last-ditch tackles, which helped them maintain structure deep into extra time.

Substitutions subtly shifted the tactical landscape without breaking the deadlock. On 70', Qarabag introduced R. Cephas (IN) for Kady Borges (OUT), refreshing the attacking midfield line with more direct running. CSKA responded at 71', bringing J. Eto’o (IN) on for B. Jordao (OUT), adding energy and verticality in the wide areas. Qarabag’s triple change at 82' — B. Langa (IN) for E. Cafarquliyev (OUT), J. Mouaddib (IN) for O. Kashchuk (OUT), and C. Makreckis (IN) for B. Huseynov (OUT) — retooled the defensive and midfield balance, maintaining intensity for the closing phase of regular time.

CSKA’s switch of L. Godoy (OUT) for J. Zwarts (IN) at 89' was a clear attempt to introduce fresh legs up front to chase long balls and counter-press. In extra time, M. Brahimi (IN) for A. Martino (OUT) at 99' signalled a slight tilt towards more ball-carrying from deep, while Qarabag’s change of M. Qurbanly (IN) for Z. Sawo (OUT) at 100' aimed to keep their central presence sharp for late crosses and second balls.

Without explicit save or xG data, the defensive evaluation rests on volume and location indicators. CSKA’s 3 shots on goal from limited possession suggest they created sporadic but presentable opportunities, often after breaking Qarabag’s first line. Qarabag’s 5 shots on goal and 7 blocked shots point to more frequent incursions into the final third, but also to CSKA’s success in getting bodies in the way before efforts truly tested the goalkeeper.

The corner disparity (10-2 to Qarabag) and their superior possession underscore that, on balance of play, the visitors imposed their game more consistently. However, CSKA’s high foul count and six cautions can also be read as a deliberate, if risky, tactical choice: slow the game, fragment Qarabag’s rhythm, and drag the tie toward a low-event, penalty-decided outcome. Over 120 minutes, that plan held. Qarabag’s structural superiority never translated into a goal, while CSKA’s compact 4-1-4-1 and relentless defensive work delivered the clean sheet they needed to take the shootout, turning a statistical underdog performance into strategic success.