Joy and regret for Ludogorets, Liverpool relief
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Article summary
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad were left with mixed emotions after earning a late draw against a Liverpool FC side grateful to at least have their destiny still in their own hands.
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• Georgi Terziev's late equaliser earns Ludogorets a 2-2 draw in Sofia
• Brendan Rodgers disappointed but happy Liverpool control their own destiny
• Both teams rue missed opportunity for three points
• Ludogorets determined to bow out on a high at the Santiago Bernabéu
• Next games: Liverpool v Basel, Madrid v Ludogorets (9 December)
Georgi Dermedzhiev, Ludogorets coach
I am delighted with the performance. The players are getting better and better with each game. We played really well tactically. We could have scored more and in the end we got a draw. The players believed we could win. We played with courage. We could have won in the last minute when Virgil Misidjan broke clear on the left but failed to make a good connection.
We are in the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time and have played very well against the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Basel. We are out now but will go to Madrid and play freely and with courage. Anything could happen.
Dani Abalo, Ludogorets midfielder
We can be satisfied with the result although we could have got more tonight. We still have a chance to end up third. For that we need a good score for Basel against Liverpool on matchday six. We have to go to Madrid, which is definitely the hardest task of all. It is almost impossible to take a point from the Bernabéu – but we'll try our best.
Georgi Terziev, Ludogorets defender
We outplayed Liverpool. It is great to do so well against some of the world's top players. Scoring against Liverpool will be an unforgettable moment. Last year we gained so much experience playing in the UEFA Europa League and now we have gained confidence playing against clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid. Why not win at Real Madrid?
Mihail Alexandrov, Ludogorets midfielder
We conceded two goals from nothing. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry after such a game. We did well, we created a lot of chances, but unfortunately we did not manage to convert them. We will go to Madrid and try to win, but we know only too well that it will be very, very difficult.
Raheem Sterling, Liverpool winger
It was a very intense game with two good teams. It's really hard to play here against Ludogorets. I think we have to be disappointed we didn't take all three points but we find ourselves in a situation where we can decide our fate. We want to qualify for the next round and I think we're still in a good position.
Jordan Henderson, Liverpool midfielder
We have to give our respect to Ludogorets, they played really well. It was a hard match with a lot of passion on both sides. We could have won in the end but we didn't manage it. Now it's up to us to beat Basel and bring ourselves into the knockout stages. This is the decisive match for us.
Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager
It is frustrating to end the game 2-2. The reaction, to come from behind, was great. It showed our character. We come away with a point but we could have scored a third goal. There is a disappointment as we had defended well. Real won against Basel so now it comes to the last game against Basel at home.
We wanted to make a solid start; it is frustrating to concede early. Ludogorets did not surprise me, though. They again showed they are a very good team. They have fast and technical players.
The key thing for us is that we hold our destiny in our hands. We will play Basel in front of our fans and I am looking forward to it. It was always going to be a very tough group. Thankfully for us, it is a good result, but we should have won.