CSKA Sofia 0–4 Polissya Zhytomyr: Ukrainian Side Dominates Pre-Season Friendly
CSKA Sofia were comprehensively outplayed by Polissya Zhytomyr in a one-sided international club friendly on 25 June 2026. The Ukrainian Premier League side ran out 4–0 winners, showcasing sharp attacking football in their summer preparations.
The match, played at a neutral venue as part of both teams' pre-season schedules, saw Polissya Zhytomyr take control from the first whistle. CSKA Sofia, a historic Bulgarian club, struggled to impose themselves against a well-organized and energetic Ukrainian outfit.
Match Overview
Polissya Zhytomyr opened the scoring inside the first 15 minutes when a rapid counter-attack ended with a composed finish past the CSKA goalkeeper. The visitors doubled their lead before half-time with a powerful header from a corner kick, leaving the Bulgarian side with a mountain to climb.
In the second half, CSKA Sofia attempted to push forward but left gaps at the back. Polissya Zhytomyr capitalized twice more, first through a clinical strike from the edge of the box and later with a breakaway goal in the dying minutes. The 4–0 scoreline reflected the visitors' superiority.
Key Moments
- 12th minute: Polissya's winger latched onto a through ball and slotted home for 1–0.
- 34th minute: A set-piece header from a near-post corner made it 2–0.
- 68th minute: A low drive from 20 yards beat the CSKA keeper at his near post for 3–0.
- 89th minute: Polissya added a fourth on the break after a CSKA corner was cleared.
Tactical Story
CSKA Sofia attempted to play a high defensive line, but Polissya Zhytomyr's pace on the wings repeatedly exposed the Bulgarian backline. The visitors' midfield dominated possession and pressed aggressively, forcing errors in CSKA's build-up play. Polissya's manager set up a 4-3-3 that overloaded the flanks, while CSKA's 4-2-3-1 lacked cohesion in the final third.
Standout Players
- Polissya Zhytomyr's No. 10: Orchestrated the attack with two assists and a goal.
- Polissya Zhytomyr striker: Scored a brace, showing sharp finishing.
- CSKA Sofia goalkeeper: Made several saves to prevent an even larger defeat.
Pre-Season Context
For CSKA Sofia, this defeat serves as a valuable learning experience as they prepare for the new Bulgarian First League season. Polissya Zhytomyr, meanwhile, will be encouraged by such a dominant performance against a team with European pedigree. Both sides will continue their friendly schedules in the coming weeks.