2014–15 A Group
The 2014–15 A Group was the 91st season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, and 67th since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid.
Season | 2014–15 |
---|---|
Dates | 19 July 2014 – 31 May 2015 |
Champions | Ludogorets Razgrad (4th title) |
Relegated | Marek Haskovo CSKA Sofia (administratively) Lokomotiv Sofia (administratively) |
Champions League | Ludogorets Razgrad |
Matches played | 132 |
Goals scored | 336 (2.55 per match) |
Top goalscorer | ![]() |
Biggest home win | Levski Sofia 8–0 Haskovo (27 February 2015)[1] |
Biggest away win | Haskovo 0–5 Levski Sofia (4 May 2015)[2] |
Highest scoring | Levski 8-0 Haskovo (27 February 2015)[3] |
Longest winning run | 5 games CSKA Sofia |
Longest unbeaten run | 14 games CSKA Sofia |
Longest winless run | 15 games Haskovo |
Longest losing run | 11 games Haskovo |
← 2013–14 2015–16 → |
The competition was divided in two phases - Regular season, with every team playing against every other team twice, and Playoffs, with teams divided into Championship group (top six) and Relegation group (bottom six) to determine the champions and the relegated teams, respectively.
Ludogorets Razgrad entered the season as three-time defending champions, and succeeded to retain the title for a 4th consecutive and overall time 2 rounds before the end of the season, after their home win over Lokomotiv Sofia.[4]
Beroe Stara Zagora finished second,[5] while Lokomotiv Sofia claimed the third place.[6]
Marek Dupnitsa and Haskovo survived only one season in A Group and were relegated.
Competition format
The championship is divided in two phases.
- In the first phase, the Regular season, every team must play two times against each of the other eleven teams on home-away basis for a subtotal of 22 matches.
- In the second phase, the Play-offs, the teams are divided in two groups - Championship group (first six) and Relegation group (bottom six). In those two parallel played groups every team has to play two times, again on home-away basis, only against the remaining five teams in the group for a subtotal of 10 matches.
Thus, the season has a total of 32 fixtures.
At the end of the season, the champion earns a place in the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, while the next two or three clubs in the final standings in the league table (depending on the winner of the 2014–15 Bulgarian Cup) earn the right to play in 2015/16 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. The last two teams in the table (from 11th to 12th place) are directly relegated to B Group for the next season while two clubs from the lower division are promoted.
Teams
A total of 12 teams are contesting the league, including the best 10 sides from the previous season, plus two promoted clubs from the lower division B Group.
As finishing in the bottom four places of the table at the end of season 2013–14, Chernomorets, Neftochimic, Pirin (Gotse Delchev) and Lyubimets 2007 were relegated to B Group and only two teams were promoted from B Group with the object of decreasing the number of teams from 14 to 12 for the current season.
The relegated teams were replaced by Marek (Dupnitsa), the 2013–14 B Group champions and Haskovo, the 2013–14 B Group runner-up. While Marek returns to the top division after six years, Haskovo reaches again the highest class after 21 years.
Stadia and locations
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity (seating) |
---|---|---|---|
Beroe Stara Zagora | Stara Zagora | Stadion Beroe | 12,128 |
Botev Plovdiv | Plovdiv | Botev 1912 Football Complex | 4,000 |
Cherno More Varna | Varna | Stadion Ticha | 8,250 |
CSKA Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Balgarska Armia | 22,015 |
Haskovo | Haskovo | Stadion Haskovo | 12,500 |
Levski Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Georgi Asparuhov | 19,000 |
Litex Lovech | Lovech | Stadion Lovech | 8,100 |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | Plovdiv | Stadion Lokomotiv | 10,000 |
Lokomotiv Sofia | Sofia | Lokomotiv Stadium | 22,000 |
Ludogorets | Razgrad | Ludogorets Arena | 6,500 |
Marek Dupnitsa | Dupnitsa | Stadion Bonchuk | 16,050 |
Slavia Sofia | Sofia | Stadion Slavia | 15,992 |
Personnel and sponsoring
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beroe Stara Zagora | ![]() |
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Joma | BEROE |
Botev Plovdiv | ![]() |
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Uhlsport | Vivacom |
Cherno More Varna | ![]() |
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Tommy | Armeets |
CSKA Sofia | ![]() |
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Legea | Efbet |
Haskovo | ![]() |
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Flair | — |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
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Joma | Efbet |
Litex Lovech | ![]() |
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adidas | Prima, Efbet |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ![]() |
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Joma | ProfiLink |
Lokomotiv Sofia | ![]() |
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Joma | Casa Boyana, Efbet |
Ludogorets Razgrad | ![]() |
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Macron | eCasino.bg |
Marek Dupnitsa | ![]() |
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Jumper | Actavis |
Slavia Sofia | ![]() |
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Joma | Asset Insurance, Efbet |
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cherno More | ![]() |
Resignation | 18 May 2014 | Pre-season | ![]() |
2 June 2014 |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
18 May 2014 | ![]() |
5 June 2014 | ||
Marek Dupnitsa | ![]() |
18 May 2014 | ![]() |
5 June 2014 | ||
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 19 May 2014 | ![]() |
12 June 2014 | |
Litex Lovech | ![]() |
End of contract | 19 May 2014 | ![]() |
27 May 2014 | |
Botev Plovdiv | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 4 June 2014 | ![]() |
6 June 2014 | |
Botev Plovdiv | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 7 July 2014 | ![]() |
14 July 2014 | |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ![]() |
Mutual consent | 8 July 2014 | ![]() |
9 July 2014 | |
Ludogorets Razgrad | ![]() |
Sacked | 31 July 2014 | 10th | ![]() |
1 August 2014 |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
Sacked | 4 August 2014 | 6th | ![]() |
4 August 2014 |
Cherno More | ![]() |
Sacked | 18 August 2014 | 12th | ![]() |
18 August 2014 |
Slavia Sofia | ![]() |
Resigned | 31 August 2014 | 11th | ![]() |
1 September 2014 |
Haskovo | ![]() |
Resigned | 20 September 2014 | 12th | ![]() |
6 October 2014 |
Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ![]() |
Resigned | 29 September 2014 | 11th | ![]() |
1 October 2014 |
Marek Dupnitsa | ![]() |
Resigned | 5 October 2014 | 9th | ![]() |
10 October 2014 |
Botev Plovdiv | ![]() |
Sacked | 3 December 2014 | 7th | ![]() |
4 December 2014 |
Levski Sofia | ![]() |
Resigned | 6 December 2014 | 6th | ![]() |
22 December 2014 |
Haskovo | ![]() |
Resigned | 18 March 2015[7] | 12th | ![]() |
27 March 2015[8] |
CSKA Sofia | ![]() |
Resigned | 20 March 2015[9] | 2nd | ![]() |
24 March 2015 |
CSKA Sofia | ![]() |
Early end of caretaker spell (majority shareholders' decision) | 27 April 2015 | 4th | ![]() |
28 April 2015[10] |
First phase
The first 22 Rounds comprise the first phase of the season, also called the Regular season. In the first phase, every team plays each other team twice on a home-away basis till all the teams have played two matches against each other. The table standings at the end of the Regular season determine the group in which each team is going to play in the Play-offs.
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ludogorets Razgrad | 22 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 46 | 14 | +32 | 47 | Qualification for championship group |
2 | CSKA Sofia | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 39 | 15 | +24 | 44 | |
3 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 29 | 24 | +5 | 39[lower-alpha 1] | |
4 | Litex Lovech | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 37 | 24 | +13 | 39[lower-alpha 1] | |
5 | Beroe Stara Zagora | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 34 | 21 | +13 | 38 | |
6 | Botev Plovdiv | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 36 | |
7 | Levski Sofia | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 36 | 25 | +11 | 34 | Qualification for relegation group |
8 | Cherno More Varna | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 26 | 24 | +2 | 31 | |
9 | Slavia Sofia | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 30 | −6 | 23 | |
10 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 36 | −23 | 20 | |
11 | Marek Dupnitsa | 22 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 45 | −37 | 14 | |
12 | Haskovo | 22 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 12 | 52 | −40 | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th season goal difference; 7th season goals scored; 8th "sportsmanship" (R & Y cards); 9th draw
Notes:
- Lokomotiv Sofia ahead of Litex Lovech on head-to-head away goals scored; Lokomotiv Sofia–Litex Lovech 2–0, Litex Lovech–Lokomotiv Sofia 4–2.
Results
Each team played against every other team for a total of 22 matches.
Second phase
After the first 22 Rounds comprising the Regular season, the teams are divided into two groups of six determined by their standings in the table at the end of the Regular season. The second phase is also referred to as the Play-offs. The teams in each group of the Play-offs again play on a home-away basis but only with the teams in their respective group. Hence, the total number of games each team has to play in this phase is 10 (twice with each of the other five teams in the group).
Championship group
The top six teams at the end of the Regular season play in the Championship group to determine the champion for the season. Additionally, the teams in this group compete for the Bulgarian spots in UEFA's 2015–16 editions of Champions League and Europa League.
At the end of the Play-offs, the team placed first in the group can compete in the qualifying rounds of 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. The second and the third placed teams earn the right to compete in the qualifying rounds of 2015–16 UEFA Europa League. If the winner of the 2014–15 Bulgarian Cup is one of those top three teams, the fourth placed team in the group also earns a right to participate in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ludogorets Razgrad (C) | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 63 | 24 | +39 | 63 | Qualification for Champions League second qualifying round |
2 | Beroe | 32 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 46 | 30 | +16 | 55[lower-alpha 1] | Qualification for Europa League first qualifying round |
3 | Lokomotiv Sofia (R) | 32 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 39 | 31 | +8 | 55[lower-alpha 1] | Relegation to 2015–16 V Group[lower-alpha 2] |
4 | Litex Lovech | 32 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 49 | 36 | +13 | 54 | Qualification for Europa League first qualifying round[lower-alpha 2] |
5 | CSKA Sofia (R) | 32 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 45 | 27 | +18 | 52 | Relegation to 2015–16 V Group |
6 | Botev Plovdiv | 32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 38 | 39 | −1 | 42 |
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th season goal difference; 7th season goals scored; 8th "sportsmanship" (R & Y cards); 9th draw
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
- Beroe ahead of Lokomotiv Sofia on head-to-head points; Beroe: 7 pts, Lokomotiv Sofia: 4 pts.
- Lokomotiv Sofia did not receive a license for European competitions and Litex Lovech took their place.
Relegation group
The bottom six teams at the end of the Regular season play in the Relegation group to determine which two teams are relegated to B PFG for next season.
At the end of the Play-offs the bottom two teams of this group will be directly relegated.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | Levski Sofia | 32 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 66 | 33 | +33 | 56 | |
8 | Cherno More | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 42 | 36 | +6 | 50 | Qualification for Europa League second qualifying round[lower-alpha 1] |
9 | Slavia Sofia | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 43 | |
10 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 32 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 28 | 52 | −24 | 32 | |
11 | Marek (R) | 32 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 14 | 71 | −57 | 20 | Relegation to 2015–16 B Group |
12 | Haskovo (R) | 32 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 18 | 71 | −53 | 15 |
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th head-to-head away goals scored; 6th season goal difference; 7th season goals scored; 8th "sportsmanship" (R & Y cards); 9th draw
(R) Relegated.
Notes:
- Cherno More Varna qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round by winning the 2014–15 Bulgarian Cup.
Season statistics
Top scorers
Updated on 26 May 2015 Hat-tricks
Updated on 26 May 2015 AwardsWeekly awardsPlayer of the Round
Monthly awardsPlayer of the Month
TransfersReferences
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