CSKA Sofia Dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv in 3-0 Europa League Victory

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia at Batumi Arena was defined less by possession or territory and more by the clarity and cohesion of the visitors’ game model. In a UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie played largely on CSKA Sofia’s terms, the Bulgarian side used a compact 4-3-3 to control central spaces, break quickly into the channels, and repeatedly expose structural flaws in Maccabi’s 4-2-3-1.

Maccabi’s base shape was clear: a back four of I. Ben Hamo, M. Camara, Raz Shlomo and S. Rosen, screened by the double pivot of I. Noy and I. Shahar, with I. Sissokho, D. Peretz and H. Varela supporting lone forward S. Abu Farkhi. On paper, this offered a solid rest-defence and central stability. In practice, the pivots were often caught in no-man’s land, neither pressing CSKA’s first build-up line nor adequately shielding the half-spaces where M. Ebong and B. Jordao repeatedly appeared.

CSKA Sofia’s 4-3-3 was cleverly tilted to exploit this. The back four of Pastor, T. Ivanov, F. Rodriguez and A. Martino stayed relatively conservative, allowing the three-man midfield of M. Ebong, B. Jordao and Stefano Sensi to dictate the rhythm. Ahead of them, J. Gbamin operated as an advanced right-sided presence from a nominal defensive role line, with L. Godoy and I. Pittas as the front pairing in the central and left channels. This produced a functional 4-3-2-1/4-2-3-1 hybrid in possession, with Sensi dropping to assist build-up and Ebong and Jordao stepping into the lines between Maccabi’s midfield and defence.

First Half

The opening goal at 9 minutes encapsulated the tactical pattern. CSKA progressed through midfield with minimal pressure on the ball, allowing time for a vertical pass into the inside-right lane. With Maccabi’s double pivot dragged toward the ball and the back four slow to compress, the gap between lines widened. Ebong arrived from midfield to finish, assisted by L. Godoy, illustrating how CSKA’s midfield three consistently outnumbered and outmanoeuvred Maccabi’s central block.

Maccabi attempted to respond by pushing their full-backs higher and asking Sissokho and Varela to tuck inside, effectively forming a situational 2-3-2-3 in possession. However, this only increased their vulnerability to CSKA’s transitions. With CSKA winning 51% of the ball possession and committing 17 fouls to disrupt rhythm, they were comfortable sitting in a mid-block, then springing forward. The second goal on 29 minutes, scored by L. Godoy from an assist by I. Pittas, again flowed from a quick, vertical exploitation of space around Maccabi’s centre-backs, who were repeatedly left exposed by insufficient counter-pressing from the midfield line.

Shot Profile

The shot profile underlines this territorial and structural superiority. CSKA Sofia registered 7 shots on goal to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 2, despite only a marginal possession edge. Their 6 blocked shots indicate sustained pressure in and around the box, with Maccabi’s defenders forced into last-ditch interventions rather than proactive control of the area. By contrast, Maccabi recorded 0 blocked shots, a sign that they rarely pinned CSKA deep enough to force emergency defending and were largely restricted to more speculative or easily managed efforts.

In-Game Adjustments

Kenny Miller’s in-game adjustments acknowledged these issues but did not resolve them. The double substitution at 46 minutes — T. Asante (IN) came on for I. Ben Hamo (OUT), and N. Ben Harush (IN) came on for S. Rosen (OUT) — aimed to refresh the full-back positions and add more athleticism and aggression on the flanks. Later, at 66 minutes, E. Sokler (IN) came on for S. Abu Farkhi (OUT) and O. Davida (IN) came on for I. Shahar (OUT), a clear attempt to inject more direct threat and ball-carrying from advanced areas. Finally, at 77 minutes, E. Madmon (IN) came on for H. Varela (OUT), seeking further energy between the lines.

Yet the underlying problem remained: Maccabi’s structure without the ball. With 21 fouls and 3 yellow cards, their defensive work was reactive and often late. The back line and midfield unit were frequently disconnected, enabling CSKA to play through or around the first line of pressure and then attack isolated defenders. The late third goal at 90 minutes, scored by J. Zwarts from Pastor’s assist, was emblematic — coming after CSKA had already rotated attacking personnel (J. Zwarts and J. Eto’o introduced at 66 minutes, M. Brahimi at 78 minutes, Leo Pereira for Pastor at 90+1) yet still found space to finish off a transition with Maccabi stretched.

Disciplinary Balance

CSKA’s own discipline, with 4 yellow cards, reflected an aggressive counter-press and a willingness to break up Maccabi’s attempts to build rhythm. However, their fouling pattern was more controlled, fitting within a coherent defensive scheme rather than compensating for structural flaws. Their compact 4-3-3, with Sensi orchestrating tempo and Ebong and Jordao shuttling laterally, consistently closed central lanes and forced Maccabi into lower-probability routes to goal.

Statistical Overview

Statistically, the match tells a clear tactical story. Possession was almost even — 49% for Maccabi Tel Aviv, 51% for CSKA Sofia — but the quality and control of that possession diverged sharply. CSKA converted their territorial phases into 7 shots on goal and 6 blocked efforts, while limiting Maccabi to just 2 shots on goal and 4 shots off target. Both sides shared 2 corner kicks apiece, underlining that CSKA’s advantage was not about sheer volume of attacking set-plays, but about the clarity of their patterns in open play.

With no recorded data on total passes, passing accuracy, xG or goals prevented, the clearest indicators are territorial occupation, shot profile and disciplinary balance. Across all three, CSKA Sofia’s structure in a 4-3-3 — compact without the ball, vertical and purposeful with it — outclassed Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 4-2-3-1, which never fully solved the problem of protecting central spaces or connecting their own possession to sustained, high-quality chances.