2022–23 First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) Explained

Competition:First Professional Football League
Season:2022–23
Dates:8 July 2022 – 11 June 2023
Winners:Ludogorets Razgrad (12th title)
Relegated:Spartak Varna
Septemvri Sofia
Continentalcup1:Champions League
Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:Ludogorets Razgrad
Continentalcup2:Europa Conference League
Continentalcup2 Qualifiers:CSKA Sofia
CSKA 1948 Sofia
Levski Sofia
Matches:284
Total Goals:670
Biggest Home Win:Ludogorets 8–1 Botev Vratsa
(8 April 2023)
Biggest Away Win:
(3 March 2023)
Highest Scoring:Ludogorets 8–1 Botev Vratsa
(8 April 2023)
Longest Wins:9 games
Ludogorets
Longest Unbeaten:16 games
CSKA Sofia
Longest Winless:11 games
Levski Sofia
Longest Losses:7 games
Spartak Varna
Septemvri Sofia
Prevseason:2021–22
Nextseason:2023–24
Updated:22:31, 11 June 2023 (UTC)

The 2022–23 First Professional Football League, also known as efbet League for sponsorship reasons,[1] was the 99th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 75th since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid, and also the 7th season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. The season began on 8 July 2022. Due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the last round before the league's winter break was held on 11–12 November. The league resumed on 11 February 2023.

Ludogorets Razgrad were the 11-time defending champions. On 7 June 2023, they won their 12th straight title in a dramatic final matchday, winning 1–0 away at Cherno More and finishing one point above second-placed CSKA Sofia.[2]

Teams

From this season, the league was expanded from 14 to 16 teams, with 12 teams returning from last season, three teams promoted from the 2021–22 Second League, as well as the winner of the promotion/relegation playoff.

The first team to earn promotion from the Second League was Spartak Varna, who mathematically secured a top three finish after winning their game against Sozopol on May 5, coupled with Etar losing to CSKA 1948 II.[3] Spartak return to the top level after a 13-year absence.

The second team to earn promotion from the Second League was Septemvri Sofia, who mathematically secured a top three finish after drawing with Sportist Svoge on May 9. Septemvri Sofia return to the top level after a 3-year absence.[4]

The third team to earn promotion from the Second League was Hebar, who secured a top three finish in the very last round of the Second League, on May 21. Hebar return to the top level of Bulgarian football after a 21-year absence.[5]

Additionally, Botev Vratsa managed to defeat Etar with a score of 3–2 in the promotion/relegation playoff, thus maintaining its place in the First League.[6]

Stadia and locations

ArdaBeroeBotev PlovdivBotev Vratsa
Arena ArdaBeroeHristo BotevHristo Botev
Capacity: 11,114Capacity: 12,128Capacity: 18,777Capacity: 6,417
Cherno MoreCSKA 1948CSKA SofiaHebar
TichaBistritsaBalgarska ArmiaGeorgi Benkovski
Capacity: 6,250Capacity: 2,500Capacity: 22,995Capacity: 13,128
Levski SofiaLokomotiv Plovdiv
Vivacom Arena - Georgi AsparuhovLokomotiv
Capacity: 25,000Capacity: 8,610
Lokomotiv SofiaLudogorets
LokomotivHuvepharma Arena
Capacity: 22,000Capacity: 10,422
Pirin BlagoevgradSeptemvri SofiaSlavia SofiaSpartak Varna
Hristo BotevVasil Levski National StadiumAleksandar ShalamanovSpartak
Capacity: 7,500Capacity: 43,230Capacity: 25,556Capacity: 7,500

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.

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsorAdditional
Arda Aleksandar Tunchev Ivan KokonovUhlsportefbetIA Nataliya Ltd.
Beroe Nikolay Kirov Ivan KaradzhovJako[7] efbetChahov Ltd.
Botev Plovdiv Bruno Baltazar Viktor GenevMacron[8] WinBet—
Botev Vratsa Daniel Morales Krasimir KostovZeus[9] WinBetVratsa Municipality, SportRespect
Cherno More Ilian Iliev Daniel DimovUhlsportArmeets—
CSKA 1948 Todor Yanchev Daniel NaumovAdidas[10] efbetBachkovo
CSKA Sofia Saša Ilić Jurgen MattheijMacron[11] WinBet—
Hebar Lyuboslav Penev Petar DebarlievJakoefbetPazardzhik Municipality
Levski Sofia Elin Topuzakov Nikolay MihaylovJoma[12] PalmsBet—
Lokomotiv Plovdiv Aleksandar Tomash Dimitar IlievNike[13] WinBetGeneral Broker, Money+
Lokomotiv Sofia Stanislav Genchev Krasimir MiloshevJomaBetanoCasa Boyana, Malizia, Intesa, VIA 2000, Club 33
Ludogorets Ivaylo Petev Anton NedyalkovNike[14] efbetVivacom, HUVESEPT
Pirin Blagoevgrad Hristo Yanev Krasimir StanoevAdidas8888.bg—
Septemvri Sofia Svetoslav Petrov Asen GeorgievUhlsport8888.bg—
Slavia Sofia Zlatomir Zagorčić Georgi PetkovUhlsportbet365Asset Insurance
Spartak Varna Dimitar Dimitrov Rumen RumenovJakoefbetIntercom Group
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

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Arda Stamen BelchevEnd of contract16 May 2022[15] Pre-season Aleksandar Tunchev19 May 2022[16]
Lokomotiv Sofia Ivan Kolev23 May 2022[17] Stanislav Genchev25 May 2022[18]
CSKA 1948 Nikolay KirovMutual consent23 May 2022[19] Lyuboslav Penev28 May 2022[20]
CSKA Sofia Alan Pardew1 June 2022[21] Saša Ilić2 June 2022[22]
Botev Vratsa Gennaro IezzoSacked2 June 2022[23] Rosen Kirilov2 June 2022[24]
Hebar Nikolay MitovEnd of contract8 June 2022[25] Fulvio Pea13 June 2022[26]
Pirin Blagoevgrad Radoslav MitrevskiResigned20 June 2022[27] Petar Mihtarski (interim)21 June 2022
Petar MihtarskiEnd of interim period3 July 2022[28] Krasimir Petrov4 July 2022[29]
Botev Plovdiv Azrudin ValentićPromoted to advisor29 July 2022[30] 16th Željko Kopić3 August 2022[31]
Spartak Varna Vasil PetrovResigned11 August 2022[32] 15th Georgi Ivanov (interim)11 August 2022
Georgi IvanovEnd of interim period22 August 202216th Todor Kiselichkov23 August 2022[33]
Botev Vratsa Rosen KirilovResigned6 September 2022[34] 12th Vladislav Vutov (interim)6 September 2022
Beroe Petar HubchevMutual consent12 September 2022[35] 10th Nikolay Kirov14 September 2022[36]
Botev Vratsa Vladislav VutovEnd of interim period14 September 2022[37] 14th Daniel Morales14 September 2022
Hebar Fulvio PeaPromoted to sports director23 September 2022[38] 15th Vladimir Manchev23 September 2022
Septemvri Sofia Slavko MatićMutual consent9 October 2022[39] Svetoslav Petrov9 October 2022[40]
Pirin Blagoevgrad Krasimir Petrov18 October 2022[41] Hristo Yanev25 October 2022[42]
Spartak Varna Todor Kiselichkov28 November 202216th Dimitar Dimitrov28 November 2022[43]
CSKA 1948 Lyuboslav PenevResigned10 December 2022[44] 3rd Todor Yanchev13 December 2022[45]
Botev Plovdiv Željko KopićSacked7 December 2022[46] 10th Bruno Baltazar3 January 2023[47]
Ludogorets Ante Šimundža7 March 2023[48] 2nd Ivaylo Petev7 March 2023[49]
Hebar Vladimir Manchev20 March 2023[50] 15th Lyuboslav Penev21 March 2023[51]
Levski Sofia Stanimir StoilovResigned8 April 2023[52] 4th Elin Topuzakov12 April 2023[53]
Slavia Sofia Zlatomir Zagorčić4 May 2023[54] 7th Angel Slavkov4 May 2023[55]
Septemvri Sofia Svetoslav Petrov5 May 202313th Krasimir Balakov5 May 2023[56]
CSKA 1948 Todor Yanchev25 May 2023[57] 3rd Atanas Ribarski25 May 2023[58]
Botev Plovdiv Bruno BaltazarSacked25 May 2023[59] 10th Stefan Stoyanov (interim)25 May 2023[60]
Spartak Varna Dimitar DimitrovResigned6 June 2023[61] 16th Valentin Iliev6 June 2023[62]
Beroe Nikolay KirovSacked6 June 2023[63] 14th Veselin Penev (interim)6 June 2023
Lokomotiv Sofia Stanislav GenchevResigned6 June 2023[64] 9th Stoycho Stoev8 June 2023[65]
Botev Plovdiv Stefan StoyanovEnd of interim period8 June 2023[66] 10th Stanislav Genchev8 June 2023

Regular season

League table

Results by round

Championship round

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Europa Conference League round

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Relegation round

Points and goals will carry over in full from regular season.

Season statistics

Top scorers

[67]

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Ivaylo ChochevCSKA 194821
2 Duckens NazonCSKA Sofia18
3 Igor ThiagoLudogorets15
4 Antoine BaroanBotev Plovdiv14
Kiril DespodovLudogorets
6 Matías TisseraLudogorets12
7 Aboubacar ToungaraBeroe / Arda10
Maurício GarcezCSKA Sofia
9 Brayan PereaBotev Vratsa9
Brayan MorenoCSKA Sofia
RicardinhoLevski Sofia

Clean sheets

[68]

RankGoalkeeperClubClean
sheets
1 Plamen AndreevLevski Sofia22
2 Gustavo BusattoCSKA Sofia20
3 Daniel NaumovCSKA 194814
4 Sergio PadtLudogorets13
5 Ivan DyulgerovCherno More12
6 Krasimir KostovBotev Vratsa11
Anatoli GospodinovArda
8 Dinko HorkašLokomotiv Plovdiv10
9 Svetoslav VutsovSlavia Sofia9
10 Aleksandar LyubenovLokomotiv Sofia8

Hat-tricks

Player For Against Result Date
CSKA Sofia Arda 3–0 (H)[69] 10 July 2022
Ivaylo Chochev4 CSKA 1948 Botev Vratsa 5–2 (H)[70] 6 August 2022
Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa 6–0 (H)[71] 5 November 2022
Ludogorets Cherno More 3–2 (H)[72] 12 March 2023
Ludogorets Botev Vratsa 8–1 (H)[73] 8 April 2023
Beroe Spartak Varna 4–0 (A)[74] 9 April 2023
Botev Plovdiv Pirin Blagoevgrad 4–2 (A)[75] 4 May 2023
CSKA Sofia Botev Vratsa 5–1 (H)[76] 8 May 2023
Note4 Player scored 4 goals

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Обявиха официално новото име и лого на Първа лига. Sportal.bg. bg. Officially announced the new name and logo of First League.. 2020-02-14.
  2. Web site: Инфарктно, но Лудогорец продължава доминацията с 12-а поредна титла. dsport.bg. bg. In a dramatic fashion, Ludogorets continue their domination with a 12th consecutive title. 7 June 2023. 11 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Дългото чакане приключи! Спартак (Варна) се завръща в елита . sportal.bg . 5 May 2022 . bg.
  4. Web site: Септември (София) взе нужното от Спортист (Своге) и се завърна в efbet Лига! . sportal.bg . 9 May 2022 . bg.
  5. Web site: Хебър се завърна във футболния елит на България след 21 години чакане! . sportal.bg . 21 May 2022 . bg.
  6. Web site: Ботев (Враца) се спаси, но замалко да изживее кошмар . sportal.bg . 27 May 2022 . bg.
  7. Web site: Днес "Берое" стартира сезона с нов екип. beroe.bg. 11 July 2022. bg.
  8. Web site: Ботев представи два от екипите за новия сезон. botevplovdiv.bg. 20 June 2022. bg.
  9. http://www.botev-vratsa.com/index.php/2022/07/08/novite-ekipi-sa-tuk/ Новите екипи са тук!
  10. Web site: ФК ЦСКА 1948 представи новите си екипи. 31 May 2022. topsport.bg. bg.
  11. Web site: Официалната фланелка на ЦСКА за сезон 2022/23 г. вече е в продажба. 4 June 2022. cska.bg. bg.
  12. https://levski.bg/%d1%82%d0%b8-%d1%81%d0%b8-%d1%87%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82-%d0%be%d1%82-%d0%be%d1%82%d0%b1%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b0/ Ти си част от отбора!
  13. Web site: Новите екипи за сезон 2022/2023. lokomotivpd.com. 2 July 2022. bg.
  14. Web site: Лудогорец показва новите екипи в шампионското шоу срещу Черно море. ludogorets.com. 12 May 2022. bg.
  15. Web site: Арда и Стамен Белчев официално се разделиха. dsport.bg. 16 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  16. Web site: АРДА избра новия треньор. fcarda.bg. 19 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  17. Web site: Официално: Локомотив (София) се раздели с Иван Колев. topsport.bg. 23 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  18. Web site: Официално: Локомотив София обяви Станислав Генчев. gong.bg. 25 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  19. Web site: Николай Киров официално напусна ЦСКА 1948. bta.bg. 23 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  20. Web site: Любослав Пенев е начело на ЦСКА!. cska1948.bg. 28 May 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  21. Web site: До армейците. cska.bg. 1 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  22. Web site: Саша Илич е новият наставник на ЦСКА. cska.bg. 2 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  23. Web site: Клуб от Първа лига изненадващо смени треньора си. segabg.com. 2 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  24. Web site: Росен Кирилов е новият наставник на Ботев /Враца/. bnr.bg. 2 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  25. Web site: Николай Митов се разделя с Хебър. dsport.bg. 8 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  26. Web site: Фулвио Пеа е новият старши треньор на Хебър (Пазарджик). fakti.bg. 13 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  27. Web site: Изненада: Радослав Митревски вече не е треньор на Пирин. topsport.bg. 20 June 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  28. Web site: Петър Михтарски се раздели с Пирин. dsport.bg. 3 July 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  29. Web site: Красимир Петров е новият старши треньор на Пирин (Благоевград). trud.bg. 4 July 2022. 11 July 2022. bg.
  30. Web site: Официално: Валентич напуска поста старши треньор на Ботев (Пловдив), но остава в клуба . sportal.bg . 4 August 2022. bg.
  31. Web site: Сериозно име застана начело на Ботев (Пловдив) . sportal.bg . 4 August 2022. bg.
  32. Web site: ОФИЦИАЛНО: Спартак (Варна) остана без треньор . novsport.com . 17 August 2022. bg.
  33. Web site: Спартак Вн представи Тодор Киселичков . dsport.bg . 23 August 2022 . 23 August 2022. bg.
  34. Web site: Росен Кирилов напуска Ботев Враца, Владислав Вутов e новият треньор . 7dnisport.bg . 6 September 2022 . 6 September 2022. bg.
  35. Web site: Берое се раздели с Хубчев, специалистът напуска по лични причини . sportal.bg . 14 September 2022. bg.
  36. Web site: Официално: Николай Киров е новият старши треньор на Берое . sportal.bg . 14 September 2022. bg.
  37. Web site: Дани Моралес ще търси агресивна игра от Ботев (Враца) . sportal.bg . 14 September 2022. bg.
  38. Web site: Владо Манчев стана старши треньор в efbet Лига . dsport.bg . 23 September 2022 . 1 October 2022. bg.
  39. Web site: Официално: Славко Матич вече не е треньор на Септември. dsport.bg. 9 October 2022 . 10 October 2022. bg.
  40. Web site: Септември представи Светослав Петров. dsport.bg. 9 October 2022 . 10 October 2022. bg.
  41. Web site: След декларация на феновете: "падна главата" на треньор от efbet Лига. dsport.bg. 27 October 2022. bg.
  42. Web site: Пирин официално обяви Христо Янев, представя го в сряда. dsport.bg. 27 October 2022. bg.
  43. Web site: Официално: Спартак Варна обяви дългоочаквания си нов треньор Димитър Димитров-Херо. sportlive.bg. 28 November 2022 . 28 November 2022. bg.
  44. Web site: Любослав Пенев официално напусна поста старши треньор на ЦСКА . cska1948.bg . 17 December 2022. bg.
  45. Web site: Тодор Янчев официално е новият старши треньор на ЦСКА . cska1948.bg . 17 December 2022. bg.
  46. Web site: Желко Копич напуска Ботев Пловдив . botevplovdiv.bg . 7 December 2022 . 5 January 2023. bg.
  47. Web site: Официално: Португалец е новият треньор на Ботев (Пловдив) . sportal.bg . 5 January 2023. bg.
  48. Web site: Лудогорец освободи Анте Шимунджа . ludogorets.com . 7 March 2023. bg.
  49. Web site: Легендарен треньор се завръща в Лудогорец . ludogorets.com . 7 March 2023. bg.
  50. Web site: Официално: Хебър освободи Владо Манчев . gong.bg . 24 March 2023. bg.
  51. Web site: Хебър представи Любо Пенев . gong.bg . 24 March 2023. bg.
  52. Web site: Официално: Станимир Стоилов обяви: Няма да продължа да работя в Левски . sportal.bg . 8 April 2023. bg.
  53. Web site: Левски официално потвърди назначението на Елин Топузаков за старши треньор . sportal.bg . 12 April 2023. bg.
  54. Web site: "Славия" остана без треньор, Златомир Загорчич напусна . 24chasa.bg . 4 May 2023. bg.
  55. Web site: "Славия" обяви кой ще води отбора, още един треньор си тръгна . 24chasa.bg . 4 May 2023. bg.
  56. Web site: Краси Балъков се завърна в efbet Лига - ето кой отбор пое . sportal.bg . 5 May 2023. bg.
  57. Web site: От ЦСКА 1948 потвърдиха за раздялата с Тодор Янчев . sportal.bg . 26 May 2023. bg.
  58. Web site: Тодор Янчев вече не е треньор на ЦСКА 1948 . sportal.bg . 26 May 2023. bg.
  59. Web site: Ботев обяви раздялата си с Бруно Балтазар . sportal.bg . 26 May 2023. bg.
  60. Web site: Стефан Стоянов ще води Ботев (Пловдив) до края на сезона . sportal.bg . 26 May 2023. bg.
  61. Web site: Официално: Димитър Димитров вече не е треньор на Спартак (Варна) . sportal.bg . 6 June 2023. bg.
  62. Web site: Спартак (Варна) обяви името на новия треньор . sportal.bg . 6 June 2023. bg.
  63. Web site: Берое освободи Киров преди най-важния мач от сезона, трио застана начело на "заралии" . sportal.bg . 6 June 2023. bg.
  64. Web site: Станислав Генчев си тръгва от Локо (София), разкри за какво най-много съжалява през сезона . sportal.bg . 8 June 2023. bg.
  65. Web site: Стойчо Стоев застава начело на Локо (Сф) . sportal.bg . 8 June 2023. bg.
  66. Web site: Официално: Станислав Генчев е новият старши треньор на Ботев (Пд) . sportal.bg . 8 June 2023. bg.
  67. Web site: Players: Topscorers. Soccerway. 9 September 2022.
  68. Web site: Първа професионална лига 2022/23 . bulgarian-football.com . 11 October 2022. bg.
  69. News: CSKA Sofia 3–0 Arda. bulgarian-football.com . 10 July 2022 . bg.
  70. News: CSKA 1948 5–2 Botev Vratsa. bulgarian-football.com . 6 August 2022 . bg.
  71. News: Botev Plovdiv 6–0 Botev Vratsa. bulgarian-football.com . 5 November 2022 . bg.
  72. News: Ludogorets 3–2 Cherno More. bulgarian-football.com . 12 March 2023 . bg.
  73. News: Ludogorets 8–1 Botev Vratsa. bulgarian-football.com . 8 April 2023 . bg.
  74. News: Spartak (Vn) 0–4 Beroe. bulgarian-football.com . 9 April 2023.
  75. News: Pirin (Bl) 2–4 Botev (Pd). bulgarian-football.com . 4 May 2023.
  76. News: CSKA 5–1 Botev (Vr). bulgarian-football.com . 8 May 2023.

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