Universitatea Craiova suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League against Levski Sofia. The match, held on foreign soil, prompted an analysis from Gică Craioveanu, a former international Romanian player. Craioveanu was particularly critical of the performance of Heri Tavares, a key player for the team.
The only goal in a match full of chances came in the 8th minute when Bulgarian captain Kristian Dimitrov scored with a header. The return leg of the tie between Universitatea Craiova and Levski Sofia is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, at 20:30 in Bănie.
Gică Craioveanu’s Analysis: “Tavares Seems to Be on Holiday”
After the match, Craioveanu commented on the evident issues in Levski Sofia’s defense, stating that Craiova missed an opportunity for a positive result due to lack of creativity in front of goal. He particularly criticized Tavares, claiming the player has not contributed to the team’s efforts in recent matches.
“There are players who struggle in one-on-one situations, which is why they group together to leave as little space as possible. I find their defense weak, especially in the central area,” Craioveanu stated. He noted the missed opportunities, especially an important chance for Ștefan Baiaram, who failed to convert a shot against the goalkeeper.
Craioveanu described both wingers as unimpressive, and emphasized that Tavares was lacking impact in every game he participated in, stating, “He has not brought any spark or detail that could make a difference.” These remarks were made during the “Fotbal Club” program on Digi Sport.
Craiova Aims for Comeback in Bănie
Universitatea Craiova will seek to overturn the result in the second leg, set for Wednesday, July 29, at 20:30 at the “Ion Oblemenco” stadium. Before this, Filipe Coelho’s squad will focus on their Superliga match against Dinamo, and will subsequently prepare for the crucial return leg against Levski Sofia.
