LUDOGORETS failed to win last three group games in the Europa League but still made it to the last 32.
But the Bulgarians face an uphill task in the double-header against Serie A giants AC Milan.
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On the plus side Dimitar Dimitrov’s men have turned their Ludogorets Arena into a real fortress.
They suffered only one loss in last four home games in the Europa League.
But they are up against one of the favourites to lift the trophy in May.
The home side must hope keeper Vladislav Stoyanov is in top form.
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The 29-year-old is best known for saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in an unexpected Bulgarian friendly win over Portugal.
Gustavo Campanharo is the only Ludogorets player to have played against Milan. He came on as a sub for Verona on October 2014 as his side lost 3-1 at home.
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Milan’s only survivor from that game is Giacomo Bonaventura.
This is the only major UEFA competition that Milan have not won.
Gennaro Gattuso has perked them up since replacing Vincenzo Montella as coach on 27 November, earning promotion from the club’s youth team.
Portuguese international Andre Silva scored the first hat-trick of the 2017/18 group stage in a 5-1 win at Austria Wien and is the competition’s joint top scorer with six goals, along with Zenit’s Emiliano Rigoni and Dynamo Kyiv’s Júnior Moraes.
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Where can I watch Ludogorets vs AC Milan?
The Europa League fixture is live on BT Sport Showcase/BT Sport ESPN.
You can also keep up-to-date with all the latest action on the SunSport LIVE blog.
What time is the kick-off?
The action gets underway at the Ludogorets Arena at 6.00pm on Thursday, February 15.
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Two Ludogorets players – Natanael and Claudiu Keseru – and Milan’s Manuel Locatelli are ineligible for this fixture through suspension.
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