PFC Sochi
Wikipedia - PFC Sochi
Football Club Sochi (Russian: Футбольный клуб Сочи, romanized: Futbolny Klub Sochi), is a Russian professional football club based in Sochi. The club is playing its home matches at the 47,000-capacity Fisht Stadium.
History
FC Sochi was founded on 4 July 2018 after the relocation of FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg to Sochi, thus becoming the only professional football club in the city.
On 11 May 2019, the club secured a top-two finish in the 2018–19 Russian National Football League and subsequently promotion to the Russian Premier League for the 2019–20 season for the first time in the club's history.
On 20 November 2019, Sochi announced that Aleksandr Tochilin had resigned as manager, with Roman Berezovsky being placed in temporary charge. On 8 December 2019, Sochi announced Vladimir Fedotov as their new permanent manager on a 2+1⁄2-year contract.
On 19 June 2020, Sochi beat FC Rostov 10–1, making it their biggest Premier League win in their history. Rostov missed their full first and second squad (42 players) due to positive COVID-19 tests in both squads.
Sochi managed to finish in twelfth place in their debut season in the top tier, avoiding relegation.
Sochi finished the 2020–21 Russian Premier League season in 5th place and qualified for European competition (UEFA Europa Conference League) for the first time in their history.
In the 2021–22 Russian Premier League, Sochi finished in 2nd place after beating FC Dynamo Moscow away 5–1 on the last matchday of the season and overtaking Dynamo in the standings.
On 18 May 2024, Sochi lost 2–3 to Krasnodar, sealing their relegation to the Russian First League after five seasons in the top tier.
In the 2024–25 season, Sochi finished 5th in the First League. However, because 3rd-placed Chernomorets Novorossiysk was not granted the Premier League license, Sochi took their place in the promotion play-offs. Sochi won the play-offs 4–3 on aggregate against Pari Nizhny Novgorod and was promoted back to the Russian Premier League.
League position
| Season | League | Russian Cup | Top goalscorer | Manager | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div. | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Name | Goals | |||
| 2018–19 | 2nd | 2nd | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 63 | 34 | +29 | 69 | Third Round | Maksim Barsov | 19 | Aleksandr Tochilin |
| 2019–20 | 1st | 12th | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 33 | Round of 32 | Aleksandr Kokorin | 7 | Aleksandr Tochilin Roman Berezovsky (Caretaker) Vladimir Fedotov |
| 2020–21 | 1st | 5th | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 49 | 33 | +16 | 53 | Quarterfinal | Christian Noboa | 12 | Vladimir Fedotov |
| 2021–22 | 1st | 2nd | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 54 | 30 | +24 | 56 | Round of 16 | Mateo Cassierra | 14 | Vladimir Fedotov |
| 2022–23 | 1st | 10th | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 37 | 54 | -17 | 38 | Group stage | Christian Noboa | 11 | Vadim Garanin Kurban Berdyev Dmitri Khokhlov (Caretaker) |
| 2023–24 | 1st | 16th | 30 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 24 | Regions path QF Stage 1 | Saúl Guarirapa | 8 | Dmitri Khokhlov Aleksandr Tochilin Denis Klyuyev (Caretaker) Robert Moreno |
European history
For their inaugural European campaign, Sochi where drawn against Azerbaijan Cup champions, Keşla, in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 16 June 2021.
- As of match played 12 August 2021
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 |
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 2QR | Keşla | 3–0 | 4–2 | 7–2 |
| 3QR | Partizan | 1–1 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | 3–3 (2–4 p) |
The team's colors are predominantly white and blue, reflecting the vibrant coastal environment of Sochi. PFC Sochi has gained a reputation for its dynamic playing style and commitment to developing local talent, while also attracting skilled players from both domestic and international backgrounds. The club's fan base is passionate and dedicated, contributing to an electric atmosphere during home games.
In a short span, PFC Sochi has established itself as a competitive force in Russian football, aiming for success in both domestic leagues and cup competitions. With a focus on growth and ambition, the club is poised to make significant strides in the coming years, embodying the spirit of a city known for its rich culture and sporting heritage.