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🗣️ Sharp criticism of the refereeing – second for the playoffs
Nikolay Zhelyazkov became the second coach to openly attack the refereeing in the playoff phase, after Aleksandar Popov from CSKA did so before him. Zhelyazkov did not spare his words after the end of Final #1, directing serious accusations at the head referee of the match:
"A first final cannot be given to such a referee. He might be deserving – give him the plaque and let's be done with it!"
Levski's coach emphasized that even in the first game, "scandalous things" happened, which, according to him, could have harmed the team's year-round effort:
"I don't think it's right to approach a final this way. What happened today was not okay."
🏐 About the match and the big comeback from 0:2
Zhelyazkov described the match as "very tough and extremely contested," in which "it was psychologically very difficult to come back from 0:2." Nevertheless, he expressed pride in the character and will that Levski's players showed:
"I congratulate my boys. We pulled ourselves together and turned the tide of the match."
🔍 The key to success – serve and attack
After the first two games, according to Zhelyazkov, Levski significantly improved their performance in serving and attacking:
"We started to serve better, more calmly and more correctly. The attack also improved – that was decisive."
📉 Warning – nothing is decided
Despite the dramatic victory, the coach does not want euphoria. He is aware that the second match in Plovdiv will be extremely difficult:
"The series will be tough. Lokomotiv plays very strongly at home. We will give our best. If we win in Plovdiv, we will have more arguments for the title."
🙌 Conclusion
Zhelyazkov finished the interview with renewed congratulations to his competitors, emphasizing the efforts they put in not only in this match but also throughout the entire season.
"Once again - congratulations to the boys!"
📌 Context:
Zhelyazkov's statement comes just days after Aleksandar Popov of CSKA also sharply criticized the refereeing in the semi-final series against Lokomotiv, which noticeably increases the tension around the arbitrators in this year's championship.
