N.E.C. Nijmegen earned a point in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Levski Sofia. Tjaronn Chery scored the equaliser in the 64th minute, cancelling out Reinaldo Nascimento Satorno's 35th-minute opener for the Bulgarian side. This 1-1 result on 15 October followed a draw against Ajax and extends the team's recent form to zero wins, three draws and two defeats from their last five matches.
Manager Dick Schreuder's team had to come from behind once again, extending their run to three consecutive draws without a win in their last five matches. The hosts enjoyed 51 per cent possession and registered eighteen shots, with nine on target. Levski Sofia goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov was forced into eight saves to keep his side in the game.
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Schreuder set his team up in a 3-4-3 formation, with Dušan Tadić, Chery and Bryan Linssen leading the line. The defence featured Gabriel Brás, Perr Schuurs and Deveron Fonville. Levski Sofia coach Julio Velázquez opted for a 4-3-3. The visitors had the first big chance, but NEC keeper G. Crettaz stood firm. The opening goal came just after the half-hour mark when Reinaldo finished from a Vutsov cross.
N.E.C. increased the pressure after the break and Noe Lebreton forced a good save shortly after the restart. The breakthrough finally came from top scorer Chery, who netted his fourth goal of the campaign in seven appearances. Schreuder introduced Ahmetcan Kaplan and Willum Thor Willumsson late on in search of a winner, but a decisive second goal proved elusive. The manager highlighted the significance of the European occasion afterwards. "N.E.C. Nijmegen speelt donderdagavond voor het eerst sinds 2009 weer Europees voetbal in eigen stadion," Schreuder said.
The team currently sits eleventh in the Eredivisie and now turns its attention to the next fixture. N.E.C. host Fortuna Sittard at the Goffertstadion on Sunday evening, with kick-off at 20:00. The squad continues to deal with several absentees, including Emre Mor and Bram Nuytinck. Thomas. The next opportunity for a win comes quickly, with the visit of Fortuna Sittard scheduled for Saturday 17 October.
