2019–20 Liga I


The 2019–20 Liga I is the 102nd season of the Liga I, the top professional league for Romanian association football clubs. The season began in July 2019 and was scheduled to end in June 2020, but was suspended in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. The season resumed on 13 June. It is the fifth to take place since the play-off/play-out rule has been introduced. CFR Cluj are the two-time defending champions.

Effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic

The derby between FCSB and Universitatea Craiova on 8 March 2020 was played without spectators because of the coronavirus disease concerns. Four days later, all football leagues and competitions were suspended by the Romanian Football Federation until 31 March in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. In May, it was announced that the Liga I would restart on the second weekend of June.
The first match meant to be played at the resumption was Universitatea Craiova versus FC Botoșani, on 12 June at 20:00 EEST, but was postponed after the latter club's doctor was tested positive for the virus. This was the second game announced to be postponed on the same day after Dinamo București versus Chindia Târgoviște, which was scheduled for 13 June. Nevertheless, the season resumed with three other matches on 13 June.

Teams

The league consists of 14 teams: twelve teams from the 2018–19 Liga I and two new teams from the 2018–19 Liga II.
Teams promoted to the Liga I
The first club to be promoted was Academica Clinceni, following their 2–1 win against Argeș Pitești on 24 May 2019. Academica will play in the Liga I for the first time in their history.
The second club to be promoted was Chindia Târgoviște, following their 4–1 win against Luceafărul Oradea on 25 May 2019. AFC Chindia will play in the Liga I for the first time in their history, but the city of Târgoviște, returned in the Liga I after 21 years of absence, where was last time represented by FCM Târgoviște, named between 1996 and 2003 as CF Chindia, club that was also the first club of the city and which was replaced by the new club after some internal conflicts.
Teams relegated to the Liga II
The first club to be relegated was Concordia Chiajna, which were relegated on 22 May 2019 following a 0–2 defeat against Dunărea Călărași, ending their 8-year stay in the top flight.
The second club to be relegated was Dunărea Călărași, which were relegated on 2 June 2019 following a 1–2 defeat against FC Hermannstadt, ending their 1-year stay in the top flight.

Venues

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Academica Clinceni Răzvan Patriche JomaNicmar Prima, Fermele Crevedia
Astra Giurgiu Denis Alibec Joma:ro:Tinmar|Tinmar, :ro:Pambac|Pambac
Botoșani ErreàElsaco
CFR Cluj Mário Camora JomaNTT Data
Chindia Târgoviște Cristian Cherchez JomaPrimăria Târgoviște, CJ Dâmbovița
Dinamo București Ante Puljić MacronUnibet
FCSB Florin Tănase Nike:ro:City Insurance|City Insurance
Gaz Metan Mediaș Marius Constantin JomaRomgaz
Hermannstadt Răzvan Dâlbea JomaNatur House
Politehnica Iași Cosmin Frăsinescu JomaSuperbet
Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe Leontin Grozavu István Fülöp AdidasDiószegi, Gyermelyi
Universitatea Craiova Nicușor Bancu JomaBetano
Viitorul Constanța Gabriel Iancu NikePepsi
Voluntari Ionuț Balaur MacronWinner

Managerial changes

Regular season

In the regular season the 14 teams will meet twice, a total of 26 matches per team, with the top 6 advancing to the Championship round and the bottom 8 qualifying for Relegation round.

Table


Results

Positions by round

Championship play-offs

The top six teams from Regular season will meet twice for places in 2020–21 UEFA Champions League and 2020–21 UEFA Europa League as well as deciding the league champion. Teams start the Championship round with their points from the Regular season halved, rounded upwards, and no other records carried over from the Regular season.

Championship play-off table

Championship play-off results

Positions by round

Relegation play-outs

The bottom eight teams from regular season met twice to contest against relegation. Teams started the Relegation round with their points from the Regular season halved, rounded upwards, and no other records carried over from the Regular season. The winner of the Relegation round finished 7th in the overall season standings, the second placed team – 8th, and so on, with the last placed team in the Relegation round being 14th.

Relegation play-outs table


Relegation play-outs results

Positions by round

Promotion/relegation play-offs

The 12th-placed team of the Liga I faces the 3rd-placed team of the Liga II.

Season statistics

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Denis AlibecAstra Giurgiu11
1 Florinel ComanFCSB11
1 Gabriel IancuViitorul Constanța11
4 Alexandru CicâldăuUniversitatea Craiova10
4 Valentin GheorgheAstra Giurgiu10
6 Sergiu BușGaz Metan Mediaș9
6 Gabriel DebeljuhHermannstadt9
8 Marius ConstantinGaz Metan Mediaș8
8 Ciprian DeacCFR Cluj8
8 Goran KaranovićSepsi Sfântu Gheorghe8
8 Jakub VojtušAcademica Clinceni8

Hat-tricks

PlayerForAgainstResultDate
Daniel PopaDinamo BucureștiAcademica Clinceni4–22 August 2019
George MerloiAcademica ClinceniChindia Târgoviște5–21 December 2019

Clean sheets

RankPlayerClubClean sheets
1 Giedrius ArlauskisCFR Cluj15
2 Cristian BălgrădeanFCSB10
2 Răzvan PleșcaGaz Metan Mediaș10
4 David LazarAstra Giurgiu6
4 Riccardo PiscitelliDinamo București6
4 Denis RusuPolitehnica Iași6
4 Roland NiczulySepsi Sfântu Gheorghe6
4 Cătălin CăbuzViitorul Constanța6
9 CristianoHermannstadt5
10 Eduard PapBotoșani4
10 Mihai AioaniChindia Târgoviște4
10 Mirko PigliacelliUniversitatea Craiova4

Discipline

Player

1 Bogdan Țîru was transferred to Jagiellonia Białystok during the winter transfer window.

Awards

Liga I Team of the Season