One post, no goals
Levski Sofia and AEK Athens split the first leg of their Champions League play-off without a goal. The Georgi Asparuhov Stadium got 90 minutes of pressure and one moment that mattered.
That moment fell to Luka Jovic in the 20th minute. Lovro Majer slipped the ball to him at an angle and the striker volleyed it onto the crossbar. It stood as the only clear opening either side manufactured all evening.
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Levski pushed, AEK absorbed
The hosts held 52 percent of the ball and fired 15 shots to the visitors’ 12. Three found the target. Thomas Strakosha dealt with all three and finished the night with as many saves. Svetoslav Vutsov made one at the other end.
AEK’s method showed up in the foul count. The Greek side gave away 17 free kicks to Levski’s eight, chopping the game up every time the Bulgarians tried to build through midfield. It worked. Levski generated volume without generating danger.
Athens decides it
The tie moves to Greece next week with nothing between the two. A goalless first leg strips out the usual arithmetic and leaves the return as a straight contest, extra time and penalties included if it stays level.
Levski arrived at this round after coming through Kairat Almaty. AEK enter the second leg at home, which counts for something on a night when they managed a single shot on target away from it.
Seven places in the league phase were on offer across this play-off round. Whoever comes through in Athens claims one of them. The loser drops into the Europa League league phase.
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