On Saturday evening, Levski released a spectacular clip on his website and in the official networks. He seemed to be a kind of apology to the fans for the allowed 1:2 reversal by the Serbian Vojvodina Novi Sad. We have to say that the Blues succeeded, although the news was quickly silenced, because in this period there is a far greater buzz around the signings.
Well, the short video was about a story from the Middle Ages, in which a warrior in blue armor, a shield and a sword goes up against one in green and with a mace. And then the battle between the two was immortalized in a book – “The Brave Knight. The Guardian of the Kingdom!”. And this same hero, before taking off his helmet, signs in blood under an oath: “I will fight with heart and soul!”. The mythical character is… the player with #50 of the Blues, Christian Dimitrov.
The central defender from Plovdiv, who twice made Levski lose his stars. Once it didn’t work, but the second time, a few days ago, it did. In fact, the news that Dimitrov is signing a new contract (until the summer of 2028) was expected. Because Christian just found his kingdom. And he had no right to reject the hand extended some time ago, especially since his new contract has increased financial parameters.
In the summer of 2019, Levski’s then coach Petar Hubchev tried everything to bring Christian Dimitrov and Todor Nedelev, whom he coached in the national team, to Gerena. Then the Blues had sacks of money. But the fabulous salaries offered failed to seduce the two. At the end of 2019, Levski again put a contract on the table for Christian, but it remained unsigned. 2 months later, the Blues fell into a severe financial crisis, and Dimitrov left for Croatia. Signed with Hajduk, with whom he started strong, but then dropped out, lost his place in the national team as well.
In the spring of 2022, he was loaned to CFR Cluj, playing a single match for the Romanians. In autumn, this happened again in Hajduk. After appearing in just 2 matches in 12 months, the Blues didn’t have to coax him long to sign him. At the same time, they didn’t have to pay him a good salary and promise playing time. It’s just that at that moment the player needed Levski, not the other way around. And he arrived in a squad in which he was the fourth choice for central defender.
Before him in the hierarchy of Stanimir Stoilov of “Georgi Asparukhov” were the “undisputed sheriff” at the time Noah Sonko Sundberg, “growing like a mushroom next to him” Jose Cordoba, as well as the Dutchman Kelian van der Kaap. Already at that moment, we wrote that Christian could not only revive his career with the blue shirt, but also become a pillar in the blue defense.
We noted that he would bring something with him that the three before him on the ladder did not have. Namely – a solid presence for high balls in his own and the opponent’s penalty area, as well as self-confidence when passing and playing, because in his younger years he acted as a midfielder. We emphasized that he will need to improve his quickness to establish himself. Well, Christian first adapted to the dressing room, and then the cards stacked up for him in a way he could hardly have dreamed. Sundberg insisted on a transfer to Ludogorets, Córdoba
had become
in a golden hen
and its sale was inevitable. And suddenly Dimitrov found himself under the stars. And grab your chance. After Levski visited Shkupi, won 2:0 in Skopje, it was clear that the defense would start with him. That fight was strange and for one honor it should have been taken on muscle. Well, Dimitrov scored with an assist and a clearance from the goal line.
We were right about his presence in the penalty area – in 91 matches he scored 8 goals for Levski. Certainly, Christian has not become faster, but he is now much more experienced. And in complicated situations he compensates by standing. In addition, his word can already be heard in the dressing room, because his name starts the lineup. He is a leader, and he shows it on the pitch. He even knows when to step it up a notch with dirtier moves to derail an opponent. Against this background, it was logical for him to regain his place in the national team.
In the spring, Levski will really need knights in the march to the title. In the face of Christian, the Blues have one. In February, he will turn 29. And who knows, after participating in the European tournaments, he will be able to play a little more abroad. Guerena have sold the other three central defenders he brought in when he started at the club. The same can happen to him. But before that, Levski and Dimitrov have work to do. Their partnership so far has been fruitful. But it can always be more.
Yanaki Dimitrov, “Tema Sport”
