2021–22 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

The 2021–22 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,[3] will be the 98th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 73rd since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid, and also the 6th season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. Ludogorets Razgrad are the defending champions for the 10th consecutive time.

First Professional Football League
Season2021–22
Dates24 July 2021 – 30 May 2022
Matches played130
Goals scored325 (2.5 per match)
Top goalscorer Pieros Sotiriou
(11 goals)
Best goalkeeper Krasimir Kostov
Nikolay Mihaylov
(7 clean sheets)
Biggest home winLudogorets 5–0 Lokomotiv Sofia
(20 August 2021)
Biggest away winTsarsko Selo 2–5 Slavia Sofia
(20 November 2021)
Highest scoringLudogorets 3–5 Pirin Blagoevgrad
(13 December 2021)
Longest winning runLudogorets (6 games)
Longest unbeaten runCherno More (11 games)
Longest winless runBotev Vratsa (14 games)
Longest losing runTsarsko Selo (5 games)
Highest attendance14,000
CSKA Sofia 2–1 Levski Sofia
(26 September 2021)[1]
Lowest attendance150
Tsarsko Selo 1–2 Botev Vratsa
(6 August 2021)[2]
2022–23 →
All statistics correct as of 06:48, 14 December 2021 (UTC).

Summary

From next season, The First Professional Football League will expand from 14 to 16 teams, with the 14th placed team from this season being automatically relegated to the Second league, while the first three-placed teams will automatically promote from the Second League and the 13th placed team from the First League will qualify for the relegation play-off, facing the 4th placed team from the second league.

COVID-19 impacts

Fan attendance has been capped at 50% stadium capacity while also subject to compliance with social distancing and the wearing of face masks.[4] Since 7 September 2021, only 30% of the stadium may be occupied.[5] Since 14 October 2021, no fans were allowed at the stadiums in Sofia Province and Sofia City Province.[6] From 21 October, fan attendance is subject to the possession of a green certificate, entailing proof of vaccination, recovery from an infection or a negative COVID-19 test.[7]

Teams

Fourteen teams are competing in the league – the top eleven teams from the previous season, the top two teams from the Second League, and the winner of the promotion/relegation play-off between the third-placed team from the 2020–21 Second League and the 12th placed team from the 2020–21 First League.

The first team to earn promotion was Pirin Blagoevgrad, who were promoted after winning 2–0 against Litex Lovech on 23 April 2021.[8] Pirin returned to the top tier after a 3-year absence, having last competed in the highest level during the 2017–18 season. The second team to earn promotion was Lokomotiv Sofia, who were promoted after winning 4–1 against Septemvri Simitli on 13 May 2021.[9] Lokomotiv returned to the top tier after a 6-year absence, having last competed in the highest level during the 2014–15 season.

Botev Vratsa won the promotion/relegation play-off 1–0 against Septemvri Sofia on 28 May 2021, thus remaining in the First League.[10]

Stadiums and locations
Arda Beroe Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa
Arena Arda Beroe Futbolen kompleks Botev 1912 Hristo Botev
Capacity: 11,114 Capacity: 12,128 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 12,000
Cherno More
2021–22 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) (Bulgaria)
Location of Sofia teams.
 CSKA Sofia
Ticha Balgarska Armia
Capacity: 8,250 Capacity: 22,995
CSKA 1948 Levski
Vasil Levski National Stadium Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov
Capacity: 44,000 Capacity: 25,000
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Lokomotiv Sofia
Lokomotiv Lokomotiv
Capacity: 13,220 Capacity: 22,000
Ludogorets Pirin Slavia Tsarsko Selo
Huvepharma Arena Hristo Botev Slavia Arena Tsarsko Selo
Capacity: 10,422 Capacity: 7,500 Capacity: 25,556 Capacity: 1,550

    Personnel and kits

    Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

    Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Additional
    Arda Slavko Matić Plamen Krumov Nike[11] efbet —
    Beroe Petar Kolev Martin Kamburov Uhlsport[12] efbet Refan, Ajax Group
    Botev Plovdiv Azrudin Valentić Todor Nedelev Uhlsport[13] WinBet —
    Botev Vratsa Daniel Morales Krasimir Kostov Erreà[14] WinBet Kozloduy NPP[15]
    Cherno More Ilian Iliev Daniel Dimov Uhlsport[16] Armeets —
    CSKA 1948 Nikolay Kirov Galin Ivanov Adidas[17] efbet Bachkovo
    CSKA Sofia Stoycho Mladenov Jurgen Mattheij Adidas WinBet A1, Baristo
    Levski Sofia Stanimir Stoilov Nikolay Mihaylov Joma[18] Strabag PalmsBet, Belfry Group
    Lokomotiv Plovdiv Aleksandar Tunchev Dimitar Iliev Nike[19] WinBet General Broker
    Lokomotiv Sofia Ivan Kolev Mario Petkov Joma Casa Boyana Efbet, Malizia, Intesa, VIA 2000, Club 33
    Ludogorets Stanislav Genchev Anton Nedyalkov Nike[20] efbet Vivacom
    Pirin Blagoevgrad Radoslav Mitrevski Nikolay Bodurov Adidas[21] AMFEX Belogour Properties
    Slavia Sofia Zlatomir Zagorčić Andrea Hristov Uhlsport bet365 Asset Insurance
    Tsarsko Selo Lyuboslav Penev Ivan Bandalovski Nike WinBet —

    Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.

    Managerial changes
    Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
    Botev Vratsa Veselin Velikov Resigned 8 June 2021[22] Pre-season Daniel Morales 9 June 2021[23]
    CSKA Sofia Lyuboslav Penev Resigned 25 July 2021 1st Stoycho Mladenov 26 July 2021[24]
    CSKA 1948 Todor Kiselichkov Mutual consent 26 July 2021 14th Miroslav Mindev 27 July 2021[25]
    Levski Sofia Zhivko Milanov Resigned 20 August 2021 12th Todor Simov (caretaker) 23 August 2021[26]
    CSKA 1948 Miroslav Mindev Mutual consent 30 August 2021 14th Nikolay Kirov 3 September 2021[27]
    Arda Nikolay Kirov Mutual consent 2 September 2021 11th Dimitar Dimitrov 6 September 2021[28]
    Levski Sofia Todor Simov (caretaker) Mutual consent 2 September 2021 12th Stanimir Stoilov 2 September 2021[29]
    Arda Dimitar Dimitrov Mutual consent 8 September 2021 11th Georgi Chilikov 8 September 2021[30]
    Ludogorets Valdas Dambrauskas Sacked 3 October 2021 3rd Stanislav Genchev (caretaker) 3 October 2021[31]
    Tsarsko Selo Antoni Zdravkov Mutual consent 8 October 2021 13th Lyuboslav Penev 13 October 2021[32]
    Arda Georgi Chilikov Mutual consent 9 November 2021 7th Slavko Matić 12 November 2021[33]
    Pirin Warren Feeney Mutual consent 3 December 2021 13th Radoslav Mitrevski (caretaker) 3 December 2021[34]

    Regular season

    League table
    Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
    1 Ludogorets Razgrad (X) 17 14 0 3 46 17 +29 42 Qualification for the Championship group
    2 CSKA Sofia 16 11 3 2 27 16 +11 36
    3 Cherno More 19 8 8 3 22 13 +9 32
    4 Botev Plovdiv 19 9 5 5 23 21 +2 32
    5 Slavia Sofia 19 7 8 4 22 17 +5 29
    6 Levski Sofia 19 7 5 7 22 22 0 26
    7 Beroe 19 7 4 8 19 20 −1 25 Qualification for the Europa Conference League group
    8 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 19 6 7 6 22 22 0 25
    9 Arda 17 5 6 6 19 21 −2 21
    10 CSKA 1948 19 5 4 10 24 32 −8 19
    11 Botev Vratsa 19 4 7 8 20 28 −8 19 Qualification for the Relegation group
    12 Lokomotiv Sofia 18 4 6 8 17 29 −12 18
    13 Pirin Blagoevgrad 19 4 4 11 27 35 −8 16
    14 Tsarsko Selo 19 2 5 12 11 28 −17 11
    Updated to match(es) played on 13 December 2021. Source: soccerway, Bulgarian Football
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[35]
    (X) Assured of the Europa Conference League group

    Results
    Home \ Away ARD BSZ BPD BVR CHM CSK CSS LEV LPD LSO LUD PIR SLA TSS
    Arda — 3–2 0–3 0–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 2–0
    Beroe 1–1 — 1–0 0–2 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–1 1–0
    Botev Plovdiv 2–1 2–1 — 2–1 0–2 3–1 3–1 a 1–3 2–1 1–0 2–1
    Botev Vratsa 0–0 1–0 1–1 — 0–0 2–4 2–0 0–0 2–2 0–0
    Cherno More 1–0 2–0 — 2–0 0–1 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–1
    CSKA 1948 2–3 1–0 5–1 2–3 — 2–4 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0
    CSKA Sofia 2–1 3–2 2–0 1–0 — 2–1 1–3 2–0 1–0 1–1
    Levski Sofia 0–2 2–1 2–0 0–0 0–0 a — 2–4 3–0 1–2 3–1
    Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0–0 1–1 2–4 1–1 2–1 2–2 — 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–1
    Lokomotiv Sofia 2–0 0–3 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 — 2–4 2–1 1–0
    Ludogorets 4–1 2–0 2 Apr 3–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 12 Mar 1–0 5–0 — 3–5 26 Feb 4–0
    Pirin Blagoevgrad 2–3 0–1 3–1 2–2 4–1 1–1 2–3 1–3 — 2–1
    Slavia Sofia 3–2 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 — 0–0
    Tsarsko Selo 1–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–2 0–1 0–2 2–0 2–5 —
    Updated to match(es) played on 13 December 2021. Source: Bulgarian Football
    Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
    For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

    Positions by round
    Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920
    Ludogorets21354213111111111111
    CSKA Sofia1699766443223222222
    Cherno More831113555555554333
    Botev Plovdiv384324212233435544
    Slavia Sofia458431323444243455
    Levski Sofia10131411128910111187998886
    Lokomotiv Plovdiv1412131313131411121298787677
    Beroe525655466666666768
    Arda6106791111989111187999
    CSKA 19481314111414141213101010101212111010
    Botev Vratsa74226777981212131313121211
    Lokomotiv Sofia127781010887779101010111112
    Pirin Blagoevgrad1111121011121314141413141111121313
    Tsarsko Selo991012891012131314131414141414
    Source: Bulgarian Football

    Results by round
    Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819
    ArdaDWLDLWDLDDWWLDLWL
    BeroeWWLLWLWLDWLDLWDLWLD
    Botev PlovdivWLWDWDWWDWLLDWLDWLW
    Botev VratsaDWWDLDLLLDLDLLDDLWW
    Cherno MoreDWWDWLLDDWDDWDWWDWL
    CSKA 1948LLDLLLWDWLWLLLWDWLD
    CSKA SofiaWWWDWWWWDLWWLWDW
    Levski SofiaLLLWLWDDLLWWLWDDWWD
    Lokomotiv PlovdivLLWDLDDWDLDWWLWWDDL
    Lokomotiv SofiaLWDLDWDWDLLDLLDLLW
    LudogoretsWWWWWLWWWWWWLWWWL
    Pirin BlagoevgradLLLWLLLLDDWLWLDLLDW
    Slavia SofiaWDLWWWDWLDDDWLWDLDD
    Tsarsko SeloDDLLWDLLLLLWLDLDLLL
    Source: Bulgarian Football
    W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

    Season statistics

    Goal of the week
    Week Player Club Goal
    1 Dimitar Iliev Lokomotiv Plovdiv v. Ludogorets
    2 Bernard Tekpetey Ludogorets v. CSKA 1948
    3 Spas Delev Arda v. Levski Sofia
    4 Krasimir Stanoev Pirin Blagoevgrad v. CSKA 1948
    5 Josué Sá Ludogorets v. Lokomotiv Sofia
    6 Borislav Tsonev Levski Sofia v. Beroe
    7 Georgi Milanov Levski Sofia v. Lokomotiv Plovdiv
    8 Valentin Nikolov Lokomotiv Sofia v. Cherno More
    9 Georgi Milanov Levski Sofia v. CSKA Sofia
    10

    Note: The top 3 goals of the week are selected for voting and the winner will be placed here.

    Save of the week
    Week Goalkeeper Club Save
    1 Georgi Georgiev Cherno More v. Tsarsko Selo
    2 Aleksandar Lyubenov Lokomotiv Sofia v. Lokomotiv Plovdiv
    3 Aleksandar Lyubenov Lokomotiv Sofia v. CSKA 1948
    4 Ilko Pirgov Lokomotiv Plovdiv v. Cherno More
    5 Yanko Georgiev Tsarsko Selo v. Arda
    6
    7
    8 Daniel Naumov CSKA 1948 v. Levski Sofia
    9 Svetoslav Vutsov Slavia Sofia v. Lokomotiv Sofia
    10

    Note: The top 3 goalkeeper saves of the week are selected for voting by Yordan Gospodinov and the winner will be placed here.

    Top scorers
    As of 13 December 2021[36]
    Rank Player Club Goals
    1 Pieros Sotiriou Ludogorets 11
    2 Dorian Babunski Botev Vratsa 10
    Georgi Minchev Lokomotiv Plovdiv
    Jordy Caicedo CSKA Sofia
    5 Dimitar Iliev Lokomotiv Plovdiv 8
    Ivaylo Chochev CSKA 1948
    7 Borislav Tsonev Levski Sofia 6
    Kiril Despodov Ludogorets
    Marquinhos Botev Plovdiv
    Octávio Lokomotiv Sofia
    Stanislav Kostov Pirin Blagoevgrad
    11 Bernard Tekpetey Ludogorets 5
    Bilal Bari Levski Sofia
    Martin Kamburov Beroe
    Pablo Álvarez Cherno More
    Spas Delev Arda
    Todor Nedelev Botev Plovdiv
    Toni Tasev Slavia Sofia

    Most assists
    As of 12 December 2021[37]
    Rank Player Club Assists
    1 Kiril Despodov Ludogorets 6
    Mavis Tchibota Ludogorets
    3 Dimitar Iliev Lokomotiv Plovdiv 5
    Georgi Rusev CSKA 1948
    Georgi Yomov CSKA Sofia
    6 Bradley Mazikou CSKA Sofia 4
    Graham Carey CSKA Sofia
    Leandro Andrade Cherno More
    Stanislav Manolev Pirin Blagoevgrad
    Yuliyan Nenov Botev Vratsa
    11 Bernard Tekpetey Ludogorets 3
    Cicinho Ludogorets
    Dorian Babunski Botev Vratsa
    Pieros Sotiriou Ludogorets
    Stanislav Kostov Pirin Blagoevgrad
    16 Borislav Tsonev Levski Sofia 2
    Josué Sá Ludogorets
    Juninho Arda
    Kevin Höög Jansson Botev Plovdiv
    Marquinhos Botev Plovdiv
    Rodrigo Henrique Cherno More
    Simeon Mechev Beroe
    Svetoslav Dyakov Pirin Blagoevgrad

    Clean sheets
    As of 12 December 2021
    Rank Goalkeeper Club Clean
    sheets
    1 Krasimir Kostov Botev Vratsa 7
    Nikolay Mihaylov Levski Sofia
    3 Ivan Dyulgerov Cherno More 6
    Yanko Georgiev Tsarsko Selo
    5 Aleksandar Lyubenov Lokomotiv Sofia 5
    Georgi Argilashki Botev Plovdiv
    Svetoslav Vutsov Slavia Sofia
    8 Daniel Naumov CSKA 1948 4
    Georgi Georgiev Cherno More
    Gustavo Busatto CSKA Sofia
    Ivan Karadzhov Arda
    12 Hennadiy Hanyev Beroe 3
    Kristijan Kahlina Ludogorets
    Nordin Bakker Beroe
    Sergio Padt Ludogorets
    14 Dimitar Evtimov CSKA Sofia 2
    Ilko Pirgov Lokomotiv Plovdiv

    References
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    2. "Царско село 1-2 Ботев (Вр)". Bulgarian Football. 6 August 2021.
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    5. "Заповед № РД-01-748/02.09.2021 г." (PDF). mh.government.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
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    7. Pehlivanova, Ivomira (19 October 2021). "От четвъртък: Всички дейности на закрито - само срещу "зелен" сертификат (ВИДЕО)". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 20 October 2021.
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    9. ""Локомотив" София си гарантира място в елита" (in Bulgarian). btvnovinite.bg. 13 May 2021.
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    13. "Официалните екипи на Ботев за сезон 2021/2022" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 8 June 2021.
    14. "Спорт Депо стана партньор на Ботев Враца" (in Bulgarian). botev-vratsa.com. 31 May 2019.
    15. "АЕЦ „Козлодуй" стана спонсор на Ботев (Враца)" (in Bulgarian). blitz.bg. 15 February 2016.
    16. "Представяме ви новия екип на Черно море за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). chernomorerpfc.bg. 14 August 2020.
    17. "ЦСКА подписа с Adidas за 3 години" (in Bulgarian). cska1948.bg. 5 May 2020.
    18. "Представяне на екипировката на ПФК Левски за сезон 2020/21" (in Bulgarian). levski.bg. 9 August 2020.
    19. "Локомотив ще играе с новите си екипи срещу ЦСКА 1948" (in Bulgarian). lokomotivpd.com. 18 May 2021.
    20. "Лудогорец представи новите екипи за сезон 2020/2021" (in Bulgarian). ludogorets.com. 21 July 2020.
    21. "Пирин ще играе с Adidas през новия сезон" (in Bulgarian). fcpirin.com. 20 May 2021.
    22. "От Ботев (Враца) обясниха за раздялата с Веселин Великов" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 8 June 2021.
    23. "Официално: Даниел Моралес е новият треньор на Ботев Враца" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 9 June 2021.
    24. "Стойчо Младенов е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА - София" [Stoycho Mladenov is the new head coach of CSKA - Sofia]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 26 July 2021.
    25. "Обявиха новия наставник на ЦСКА 1948" [CSKA 1948 announced the new head coach]. Sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 26 July 2021.
    26. "Тандемът Симов и Минев ще води Левски срещу Берое" [The duo Simov and Minev will lead Levski against Beroe]. fakti.bg (in Bulgarian). 23 August 2021.
    27. "Николай Киров е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА 1948" [Nikolay Kirov appointed as the new CSKA 1948 coach]. topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 September 2021.
    28. "Официално: Арда обяви новия си наставник" [Official: Arda announced their new head coach]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 September 2021.
    29. "Левски представя Станимир Стоилов днес" [Levski will present Stanimir Stoilov today]. topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 September 2021.
    30. "Официално: Херо се раздели с Арда, обявиха новия треньор" [Official: Hero left Arda, new head coach appointed]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 8 September 2021.
    31. "Лудогорец: Разделяме се с Дамбраускас, Генчев ще води тима с Левски" [Official: Ludogorets: We are parting ways with Dambrauskas, Genchev will lead the team against Levski]. sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 October 2021.
    32. "Официално: Любо Пенев се завърна в Царско село" [Official: Lyubo Penev returns to Tsarsko Selo]. sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 October 2021.
    33. "Славко Матич подписа договор с ПФК „АРДА" и проведе тренировка" [Slavko Matić signed a contract with Arda and carried out his first training]. fcarda.bg (in Bulgarian). 12 November 2021.
    34. "Пирин обяви раздяла с Фийни и неговия щаб". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 13 December 2021.
    35. "A PFG - Regular season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
    36. "Players: Topscorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
    37. "Players: Assists". Fctables. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
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