CSKA Sofia face a steep uphill task after a 3-0 first‑leg defeat in Crete, but the return leg offers a glimmer of hope as OFI make seven changes to their starting XI, resting regulars with one eye on domestic commitments. The Bulgarian hosts, deploying a 5‑3‑2, have won their las…
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Sign inCSKA Sofia and OFI Crete meet in the Europa League play-off second leg on 27 August 2026 at the Stadion Bâlgarska Armija, the Bulgarian side's usual home in Sofia, with the visitors holding a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Heraklion.
OFI all but settled the tie a week ago with a ruthless 3-0 win at the Pagritio stadium. Taxiarchis Fountas struck twice – a 19th-minute opener and a 51st-minute penalty – before Lorenzo Dickmann added a stoppage-time third to leave CSKA needing a miracle in the return fixture.
CSKA head coach Hristo Yanev could be boosted by the return of left-sided full-back Ángelo Martino, who missed the recent league win over Botev Vratsa with a knock picked up against Septemvri Sofia. Yanev has indicated he hoped to have Martino available specifically for this second leg. Stefano Sensi, who scored in the previous round against Maccabi Tel Aviv, is expected to anchor the midfield again. Forward Joel Zwarts, fresh from a weekend brace, is pushing for a start ahead of Leandro Godoy.
OFI manager Christos Kontis will be without right-back Nikos Marinakis, who was not registered for the tie due to an ongoing injury problem. Dickmann, after his competitive debut against AEK Athens, is in line to feature again. New signing Aitor Cantalapiedra and on-loan defender Dimitrios Nikolaou bring top-flight experience to a squad that lifted both the Greek Cup and Super Cup in recent months.
Despite the heavy first-leg defeat, CSKA’s domestic form has been impressive. They have lost only once in 11 competitive outings this season and thrashed Botev Vratsa 5-0 on Sunday, even after playing much of the match with 10 men following Catalin Itu’s red card. Overturning a three-goal deficit against a side that has conceded just once in its last four European fixtures will demand an early goal and sustained pressure, something Yanev’s high-energy system is built to produce.
OFI used a 3-4-2-1 shape in the first leg, with two attacking midfielders supporting Fountas. The system can leave space behind the wing-backs when possession is lost, and CSKA’s quick transitions – particularly through wide areas – could expose that. Martino’s potential return from injury would sharpen CSKA’s ability to stretch the visiting defence.
Sensi’s vision and late runs into the box were decisive against Maccabi Tel Aviv, and CSKA will need every ounce of his creativity to unlock an OFI midfield anchored by Zisis Karachalios and Thanasis Androutsos. If the Italian finds pockets of space between the lines, the home side can generate the volume of chances required to threaten an unlikely comeback.
With a three-goal cushion, OFI know avoiding a catastrophic collapse will carry them into the Europa League group stage. For CSKA, the task is monumental – but a fast start in front of a passionate home crowd could ask questions of a team that has played far fewer competitive minutes this season.
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