Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Cherno More Varna beat Farul Constanța 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Academia Hagi, Kolev scoring the 57th-minute winner in a behind-closed-doors workout.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Played on a secondary pitch at the Hagi Academy to protect the main stadium surface ahead of the new Superliga season, the match was a low-key affair typical of pre-season. Both sides used the game to test squad depth, with Farul fielding four of their summer signings in the starting XI.
The first half ended goalless (0-0), with neither side creating clear-cut chances. The deadlock was broken 12 minutes after the restart when Kolev converted for the Bulgarian visitors from one of few opportunities they created at Farul's goal.
Farul manager Ioan Ovidiu Sabău rang the changes throughout the second half, introducing 14 substitutes to give minutes to as many squad members as possible.
The turning point
Kolev's 57th-minute strike was the match's sole moment of incision. With both teams prioritising fitness work over attacking ambition, the goal separated the sides in a contest where scoring opportunities were scarce. Farul's failure to convert their share of possession into clear chances — a recurring theme from their previous two friendlies (1-1 vs Fratria Varna, 0-0 vs Oțelul Galați) — extended their run without a win in pre-season.
Key performers
Kolev (Cherno More Varna) — The forward scored the decisive goal and was the match-winner, capitalising on one of the visitors' few raids forward.
Matteo Ahlinvi (Farul Constanța) — The French midfielder, who signed his contract with Farul on the same day, went straight into the starting XI. His integration into Sabău's system will be one to watch as the season approaches.
Alexandru Buzbuchi (Farul Constanța) — Farul's goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable with a steady display, keeping Cherno More at bay apart from the one goal.
Player of the match: Kolev (Cherno More Varna)
By the numbers — interpreted
The match produced just one goal from a combined 19 goals in the 10 meetings between these sides (averaging 1.9 per game). The 0-1 scoreline continues a trend of tight contests: 5 of the 10 head-to-head fixtures have seen both teams score, but this one fell into the other half. Farul have now gone three pre-season friendlies without a victory (D2 L1), having scored only once in 270 minutes of football.
What it means
For Farul Constanța, this was the third and final home friendly of their pre-season programme. They still have two more warm-up matches scheduled: away at newly promoted FC Voluntari on 11 July, followed by a meeting with Dinamo București at the Arcul de Triumf stadium in Bucharest later the same day.
Farul begin their 2026/2027 Superliga campaign on Sunday, 19 July, away at Universitatea Cluj (17:00 local time).
Cherno More Varna, managed by Ilian Iliev, used the match to build fitness ahead of the Bulgarian First League season, which is expected to start in late July.
Verdict
A predictable pre-season friendly in which fitness took priority over result. Kolev's finish separated the sides, but the main takeaway for Farul is the integration of multiple new signings — including Ahlinvi's immediate debut — in a squad that remains a work in progress ahead of the Superliga kick-off.
Rivalry since 2021
Farul Constanta vs Cherno More Varna Head to Head Results· 10
Farul Constanta and Cherno More Varna have met 10 times — Farul Constanta won 3, Cherno More Varna won 4, with 3 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2021. Cherno More Varna leads the head-to-head with 4 victories from 10 meetings. A combined 19 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 1.90 per match (10 for the home side, 9 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 5 matches (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 2 games (20%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–2 in 2026.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 9 Jul 2026