Malmo FF 1-2 Ludogorets Player Ratings: Caio Vidal 8.5/10 Rated as Visitors Secure a Comfortable 2-1 Victory

What a chaotic and ultimately disappointing night for the home side at Malmö Stadion. Ludogorets arrived with a clear game plan, and they executed it with ruthless efficiency in the first half, storming to a two-goal lead that Malmö FF just couldn't claw back. A clumsy challenge from Busanello gifted the visitors a penalty, which was coolly dispatched, and before Malmö could even regroup, a second goal flew in. It was a classic European away performance from Ludogorets.

We noticed a real shift in the second half, though. Malmö came out with renewed purpose, and the substitutions definitely injected some much-needed energy and creativity. The goal from substitute Lasse Berg Johnsen set up a frantic final ten minutes, and you could feel the belief surging back through the stadium. But despite the late barrage of shots and pressure, it was a case of too little, too late. Ludogorets, led by the simply outstanding Caio Vidal, defended resolutely and held on for a massive three points in this Europa League fixture. A tough lesson for Malmö, who showed heart but lacked that clinical edge when it mattered most. Here are the Malmo FF vs Ludogorets player ratings.

Malmö FF Player Ratings vs Ludogorets

Here are the Malmo FF player ratings vs Ludogorets.

Goalkeeper

Robin Olsen - 6.5: A very busy night for the keeper. He made an impressive seven saves, with several crucial stops inside the box to prevent the scoreline from getting worse. However, his performance was marred by an error that led to a goal. He kept his team in the game at times, but the mistake was a significant one in a tight contest.

Defenders

Jens Stryger Larsen - 6.0: A steady, if unspectacular, performance. He was reliable in possession, completing 84% of his passes, and contributed three clearances. From our perspective, he did his defensive duties without any major errors but didn't offer much of an attacking threat down the flank. An average outing.

Pontus Jansson - 6.5: A real warrior at the back. He was dominant in the air, winning six aerial duels, and read the game well with four interceptions. What stood out to us was his sheer physical presence. Despite his efforts, the defense was breached twice, but he was certainly one of the better performers in the backline.

Colin Rösler - 7.0: Probably Malmö's best defender on the night. His highlight was a crucial clearance off the line that saved a certain goal. He was incredibly calm on the ball, boasting a 95% pass accuracy, and won the majority of his duels. A very composed and impressive display under pressure.

Busanello - 4.5: It was a disastrous start for the defender. He conceded the penalty with a clumsy foul and earned a yellow card for his troubles. Losing possession 24 times is just far too high for this level. While he did create a couple of chances going forward, his early error set a negative tone from which his team never fully recovered.

Midfielders

Otto Rosengren - 6.5: He put in a real shift in the midfield. We noticed his work rate was immense, with six ball recoveries and a constant presence all over the pitch. He even tested the keeper with a shot on target. He was a bundle of energy but struggled to provide that killer pass to unlock the organized Ludogorets defense.

Sead Haksabanovic - 5.0: A really quiet and frankly disappointing game from a player we expected more from. He was ineffective, frequently lost the ball, and offered very little in an attacking sense. It was no surprise to see him substituted in the second half. He just never got into the game.

Adrian Skogmar - 5.5: He kept the ball moving with an excellent 93% pass completion rate, but it was all a bit safe. He lacked the incisiveness to break down the opposition. Picked up a yellow card and was largely a passenger before being taken off. Tidy, but lacked impact.

Hugo Bolin - 7.0: One of the few bright spots for Malmö. He was a constant threat, registering three shots and creating two chances for his teammates. What stood out was his positive intent, always looking to drive forward. He missed a big chance, but his energy and directness were commendable.

Forwards

Anders Christiansen - 6.0: The captain had a mixed game in his 60 minutes on the pitch. He was involved, had a shot on goal, and drew fouls, but he also gave away a few too many fouls himself and received a yellow card. A busy but somewhat erratic performance before he was substituted.

Daníel Gudjohnsen - 6.0: We loved his fighting spirit. He was a real handful for the defenders, winning seven duels and drawing four fouls. His work rate was tireless. However, he failed to register a single shot on target, and his end product was ultimately lacking.

Substitutes

Lasse Berg Johnsen - 7.0: An instant impact. Coming off the bench, he scored a fantastic goal from outside the box to give his team a lifeline. You can't ask for more from a substitute. He changed the complexion of the game.

Taha Ali - 7.0: Another substitute who made a huge difference. He provided the assist for Malmö's goal and brought a spark of creativity and pace that was sorely missing. His introduction was a major positive.

Stefano Vecchia - 6.0: Came on late and didn't have much time to influence the proceedings. He was part of the final push but had limited involvement.

Manager

H. Rydström - 6.0: His team was caught cold, and the initial setup seemed unable to cope with Ludogorets' early intensity. Credit to him, his second-half changes were spot on and nearly rescued a point. However, the slow start ultimately cost his team the match.

Ludogorets Player Ratings vs Malmo FF

Here are the Ludogorets player ratings vs Malmo FF.

Goalkeeper

Sergio Padt - 7.0: A solid and reliable performance from the captain. He made four important saves, all from shots inside the penalty area, and commanded his box with authority. He couldn't do much about the goal he conceded but was otherwise a calming presence for his defense.

Defenders

Joel Andersson - 6.0: A bit of a mixed bag. He was solid enough defensively with a couple of tackles and interceptions. From our perspective, his distribution was a weakness, as he lost possession 20 times. He did his job but was far from flawless.

Dinis Almeida - 6.5: Did everything asked of him before being substituted late on. He made five crucial clearances and was comfortable in possession. A no-nonsense, effective defensive display.

Edvin Kurtulus - 8.0: A colossal performance at the heart of the defense. He won the penalty for his team's opening goal and was an absolute rock at the back, making eight clearances. His reading of the game and dominance in duels were exceptional. A standout player.

Son - 7.0: A very disciplined and intelligent performance. He made four interceptions and four clearances, consistently breaking up Malmö's attacks. The yellow card was the only minor blemish on an otherwise excellent defensive shift.

Midfielders

Petar Stanic - 7.5: He was instrumental in the victory. He calmly converted the early penalty to give his side the lead and created two more chances before being substituted. A highly effective and decisive performance in his 63 minutes on the pitch.

Deroy Duarte - 6.5: A solid, workmanlike performance in the middle of the park. His passing was tidy and he protected the back four well. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward but played his role perfectly for an away team looking to control a lead.

Pedro Naressi - 8.0: An absolutely brilliant all-around midfield display. He was everywhere. With four interceptions, five recoveries, and a 100% tackle success rate, he completely dominated the midfield battle. He also created two chances, showing his quality on the ball. A truly commanding performance.

Forwards

Caio Vidal - 8.5: The man of the match, without a doubt. He was an absolute nightmare for the Malmö defense all night long. He had seven shots, hit the woodwork, and created four chances. His pace, dribbling, and creativity were on another level. The only thing his performance lacked was a goal, but he was the architect of his team's victory.

Yves Erick Bile - 8.0: Scored a fantastic goal to double his team's lead, showing great composure in the box. He was a constant threat before his injury-enforced substitution. A clinical and impactful performance that proved decisive for the result.

Erick Marcus - 6.5: A lively and creative performance. He created three chances for his teammates and linked up play effectively. He was a key part of the visitors' dangerous attack, even if he was overshadowed by the exploits of Vidal and Bile.

Substitutes

Matheus Machado - 6.0: Came on and looked bright, helping to maintain his team's attacking threat on the counter. Had a shot blocked and caused a few problems.

Filip Kaloc - 6.0: Brought on to add some steel to the midfield and did his job effectively, helping to see out the win.

Stanislav Ivanov - 6.5: Almost made a spectacular impact, forcing a great save from the keeper late on. Looked very sharp in his short cameo.

Ivaylo Chochev - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

Olivier Verdon - N/A: Came on in the final minutes to help secure the defense.

Manager

R. Pinto da Mota - 8.0: A tactical masterclass. His team started with incredible intensity, scoring two quick goals and setting the foundation for the win. They were superbly organized defensively and always looked dangerous on the break. His game management was perfect. A fantastic result on the road.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Caio Vidal