Levski Sofia 1-1 Botev Vratsa – Friendly Ends All Square at Georgi Asparuhov

In a pre-season friendly played under the lights in Sofia on June 27, 2026, Levski Sofia and Botev Vratsa shared a 1-1 draw. The match, part of the clubs' summer preparation programs, offered both coaches a chance to test new tactics and evaluate squad depth ahead of the new Bulgarian First League campaign.

Match Flow

Levski Sofia, the more established side, dominated possession from the outset. Their fluid passing game created several early openings, with forward Marin Petkov forcing a sharp save from Botev's goalkeeper, Kristiyan Dimitrov, in the 12th minute. The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when a combination down the right flank ended with a low cross that was turned home by midfielder Ilian Iliev.

Botev Vratsa, however, showed resilience. They grew into the match and equalized just before halftime through a well-taken free kick. Captain Valentin Stoyanov stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Levski's goalkeeper with no chance.

Second Half – Changes and Pre-Season Fitness

Both teams made numerous substitutions in the second half as the coaches rotated their squads. Levski's second-string players struggled to regain control, while Botev's younger players impressed with their energy and pressing. The best chance of the half fell to Levski substitute Robert Dimitrov, but his shot from 12 yards was deflected wide. Neither side could find a winner, and the match ended in a draw that felt fair given the overall balance of play.

Implications

• For Levski Sofia, the friendly highlighted the need for sharper finishing in the final third, especially against disciplined defensive units.
• Botev Vratsa will take heart from a strong defensive performance and the quality of their set-piece execution.
• Both managers will use the match data to refine their tactics as the start of the domestic season approaches.

The 1-1 draw gave Levski Sofia and Botev Vratsa a useful workout, with both clubs now turning their attention to remaining pre-season fixtures before competitive action resumes.