Bulgaria – Italy Match Preview & News & Prediction & Team Performances
Bulgaria
Bulgaria had very bad performance last qualifications. They just won a match, got two draws and lost in 5 matches. They were at bottom of standings and that was really dissapointing for Bulgarian soccer fans. They scored just 3 goals and conceded 13 goals in 8 matches. However we saw that Bulgaria performance has raised and they started to play better football in friendly matches. I don’t think that it will be enough for them but I think they will be alot better in their home matches. Now they will face with Italy in home for qualify to World Cup 2014 and it won’t be easy game for them.
Bulgaria’s head coach is famous Bulgarian Striker Lyuboslav Penev at the moment. He started to team while Bulgaria was very poor position in Europe Qualification Group Stages. I believe Bulgaria will get better with him incoming matches.
Bulgarian Players:
Nikolay Mihailov
He started his professional career when he was 16 years old in Bulgarian team Levski Sofia. He played in Liverpool for a few years and went to Twente. He is keeping Twente goal at the moment. His performance is very important for this match.
Valeri Bojinov
He is 26 years old but he played for very important teams of Europe. (Juventus, Fiorentina, Manchester City, Parma, Sporting Lisbon) He is playing for Hellas Verona at the moment. He is playing in forward position. His performance has dropped if we compare with his last years.
Stanislav Manolev
26 years old defender is playing for PSV Eindhoven since 2009. He capped for 21 times for Bulgarian National Football Team.
Important Note: Dimitar Berbatov will be in squad. He had retired from international football 2010.
Italy
Italy made a good surprise and played final against Spain in European Championship. They lost 4-0 but I wasn’t expect them to final in tournament. Italy had a good season in 2012. They just lost against Spain in final and they didn’t lose any other formal match. They don’t have stars like past years but they are playing well fotball. They do good defence and they don’t spend positions for nothing in forward.
Italy Players:
Daniele De Rossi
He is a good playmaker and defensive midfielder. He can do good tackles and give key passes. He started professionel career in Roma in 2001 and he is still playing for Roma. He also capped 79 times and scored 11 goals for Italy national team
Antonio Nocerino
He capped for Italy 11 times and he is playing for AC Milan now. He scored 10 golas for AC milan last season. He is playing in Midfield position.
Salvatore Sirigu
PSG transferred him from Palermo in 2011. He is good goalkeeper and I don’t think that Italian football fans will miss Buffon with him.
Injured Players
Italian right defender Ignazio Abate is injured and it’s important lose for Italy. They can stil replace him because there are many good defenders in Italy.
Bulgaria has no important injured player.
Match Prediction
Italy can hardly score in away matches and I doubt about Bulgaria can score to Italy. We won’t see more then 2,5 goals in the match. I believe it will already be a boring match.
Bulgaria – Italy (2008)