Following the draw between „Lokomotiv“ (Gorna Oryahovitsa) and „Neftochimik“ (Burgas) that made beginning of season 2016/2017 in the First professional league, the start of the campaign was further decorated with an exceptionally interesting encounter involving „CSKA-Sofia“ who made their return to the Bulgarian first division and „Slavia“ (Sofia). The Sofia derby ended in 2:0 for the home team, the goalscorer for Hristo Yanev’s side being Diogo Viana who scored twice – in the 57-th and 78-th minutes of the game. Thanks to this victory, Hristo Yanev’s team picked up the three points and temporary will be at the top of the table. As far as „Slavia“ is concerned, the team of Aleksandr Tarkhanov will be in the last position at least until tomorrow when are lieing ahead to be played out three more games from the first round in the First professional league.

„Bulgarska Armia“ saw „CSKA-Sofia“ aligned in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Preslav Yordanov operating as a centre forward. „Slavia“ ‘s coach Alexandr Tarhanov relied on a 4-2-3-1 formation where Serder Serderov assumed the responsibilities of the striker. He was supported by an offensive trio including Bojidar Vasev, Georgi Yomov and Ivaylo Dimitrov.

The first half went on at the enthusiastic „CSKA-Sofia“ ‘ s bidding that managed to impose its will very quickly. The first dangerous chance in front of Mario Kirov’s goal was registered exactly in the 7-th minute, when Arsenio Nunesh came into a firing distance, but a vital intervention of a „Slavia“ ‘s defender at the very last moment spoiled an attempt on goal on Portuguese’s behalf. Two minutes later Mario Kirov’s found himself in the spotlight when he had to show his class to reflect in the immediate vicinity a header from the winger of „CSKA-Sofia“ Kiril Despodov. The activity of the home side on both flanks that was characterized by unremitting raids of Despodov and Diogo Viana, made a serious impression during the first 45 minutes.

Hristo Yanev’s boys continued to be the more dangerous on the field and an evidence of that was a technical header by Boris Galchev in the 28-th minute that was saved in an impressive manner by „Slavia“ ‘s goalkeeper Mario Kirov.

Even so Tarhanov’s players managed to place the focus onto the homeside, but their actions were characterized by several off-target shots.

Undoubtedly the second half offered us more emotions and exciting moments. The first chance in the the second 45 minutes didn’t take long. It was registered by „Slavia“ who resumed the game in a persistent manner. In the 49-th minute of the game Borislav Baldzhiyski didn’t manage to make the most of a serious mistake in „CSKA“ ‘s defence that was made in a critical area in their opponent’s half. His shot was directed at the goal of Georgi Kitanov, but didn’t turn out to be successful.

That start by the Tarhanov’s players did not break „CSKA-Sofia“ ‘ s side and in the 57-th minute the lead was taken namely by the „Reds„. After a great long pass by Arsenio Nunesh to the winger Diogo Viana, the Portuguese player rushed onwards into the penalty area, consequently firing a powerful strike on the ground that firstly deflected off the goalkeeper’s leg and after that hit the mark for 1:0.

In spite of that the possibilities infront of the both goals weren’t abating. In the middle of the second half Borislav Baldzhiyski and Preslav Yordanov missed for respectively both sides, bu the miss of the latter one was inexcusable.

The football dictum „When you waste your chances, recieve you a goal“ didn’t come true for Hristo Yanev’s team, because Alexander Tarhanov’s boys didn’t create something dangerous in the front. At the expense of that the home team secured the outcome of the encounter thanks to a second goal by Diogo Viana in the game, scored by the Portuguese in the 78-th minute.

In the added time the result would have been a classic after the substitution Gustavo Culma sent a technical shot from a wide range, but to his great regret, the ball hit the crossbar.