CSKA Sofia host Roma tomorrow evening for their final Conference League group stage match.
It’ll be a match between two teams with drastically different levels of motivation given that the Bulgarian side will automatically finish bottom of Group C.
The Giallorossi, meanwhile, are still fighting with Bodø/Glimt to finish top of the group with the capital club currently sitting one point behind the Norwegians.
As a result, CSKA Sofia boss Stojcho Mladenov responded frankly when asked if his team will put forth any effort given that there’s nothing to play for.
“We want to get all three points. Yes we’re eliminated, but we want to thank the fans for their support and what they’ve done during this competition,” he said during his pre-match press conference.
“We’re missing a few players, but we’ll fight as hard as possible against Roma. I think we’ll play better tomorrow than we did in the first match.”
He added, “We’ve shown determination and desire in every match. The results in this competition haven’t been good, but I want to see the right attitude tomorrow for all 90 minutes.”
“Though, the pitch is in a pretty desperate state, hopefully the grounds crew can sort it out within the next 24 hours.”
Finally, “But the fans have given us their support from the first minute to the last. We’re strong with our twelfth man on our side, everything is different with 25,000-30,000 people supporting you.”
