Stoilov calls for Levski offensive

PFC Levski Sofia coach Stanimir Stoilov is promising to "attack from the first minute" as his injury-hit side aim to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Tampere United in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.

'Tricky situation'
Having graced the group stage last season, the Bulgarian team were expected by many to waltz past the Finnish title-holders, yet Tomi Petrescu's early strike in Tampere has thrown the tie open. "It will be very hard for us," Stoilov said before Tuesday's second leg. "Tampere are solid at the back and they do not allow the opposition to create many chances. We must be patient and hold on to possession as much as possible, because we need two goals. Our situation is quite tricky."

Injury headache
It is a situation made worse by a spate of injuries. Defenders Igor Tomašić and Elin Topuzakov are both out so Stoilov may have to use midfielder Richard Eromoigbe at centre-back alongside new arrival Chakib Benzoukane. Valeri Domovchiyski and Daniel Borimirov are expected to recover from their knocks, however, and the Levski coach has said that the latter's experience in particular could be key to the Sofia outfit progressing to a third qualifying round fixture against either Rosenborg BK or FC Astana.

'We should go through'
"If we are at our best then we should go through, but we must attack from the first minute," said Stoilov, who sounded unconcerned by the heavy rainfall in Sofia. The soggy conditions have already forced a change of venue from Levski's usual Georgi Asparuhov ground to the Vasil Levski National Stadium. "I do not know whether the rain will give Tampere an advantage. When pitch conditions are not at their best, it is a problem for both teams. For us the most important thing is to win, not the bad weather."