First leg score: CSKA Sofia 0-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
📰 Table Of Contents
Recommended bets
Match preview
After a famous victory at Vasil Levski National Stadium, St Patrick’s Athletic are in a great position to cause a monumental upset in this tie.
A week ago, the only goal of the night in Bulgaria came just three minutes from time with Serge Atakayi silencing the vast majority in attendance.
This 1-0 victory for the Saints is right up as one of their most memorable European victories, and comparable to anything achieved by a League of Ireland club in modern times.
But, to use a cliché, it is only half time in the tie, so can Tim Clancy’s team finish the job back in Dublin?
Before last Thursday, St Patrick’s Athletic had only ever won two of 29 European away games, most recently doing so in 2009.
So, the Red Army are on the verge of the play-off round for the first time in 13 years.
Another reason last week’s result was so surprising is that CSKA Sofia have qualifed for a group stage in both of the last two seasons.
The Reds have won their last eight qualification ties, notably beating BATE Borisov, FC Basel and Viktoria Plzeň in the last two years.
But, baring a comeback at Tallaght Stadium, the Reds will slump to a shock defeat.
The reward for the winners is a Europa Conference League play-off tie against Steaua București or FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda.
