The Bulgarian national football team lost 0: 2 to Italy in its second qualifying match of Group “C” for the World Cup in Qatar.
As expected, our team lost to the super favorite in the group, although they improved their level compared to the 1: 3 loss to Switzerland 4 days ago.
Yasen Petrov’s men tried to play more aggressively, to press the opponent and to enter martial arts more firmly. This worked in defense, especially in the first half, but a controversial penalty gave the Italians an advance at the end. At the end of the match they reached the second goal. Thus, for the first time, the Squad won a match of “Vasil Levski”.
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Photo: Bulphoto
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Our national coach included in the starting lineup the absolute debutant Pavel Vitanov, and Momchil Tsvetanov played for the first time as a starter. Our attack was led by Plamen Galabinov and Spas Delev.
However, the Italians did a professional job, although they were in a more experimental lineup and did not impress. Thus, together with Switzerland, they lead the group with 6 points each. The Swiss would beat Lithuania 1-0 today, and the Northerners, us and Northern Ireland remain with zero assets.
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The match with Italy started very well for the “tricolors”, even more so if we compare the beginning with the nightmarish against Switzerland. Our team pressed deep into the opponent’s half and mostly dealt with dangerous crossings from the flanks.
In the fourth minute Andrey Galabinov made a light shot, and on the other goal a shot by Francesco Acherbi after a corner was blocked. There were a few more moments of tension in front of Plamen Iliev, but our defenders managed.
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Photo: BTA
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The Italians were very active, but only in the first half hour of play. Then their pace dropped sharply and ours felt more and more comfortable.
Just then, however, came the penalty for Italy – in the 43rd minute. Andrea Belotti fell artistically on the grass after a slight contact with Daniel Dimov. The Slovenian referee pointed to the white dot and the Torino striker gave an advance to his team from the white dot.
In the second part we also started with decent football. Acerbi’s shot went over the door, and in the 58th minute Bulgaria claimed a penalty for a handball. Such was not ruled.
In the 63rd minute, a second penalty kick could have been awarded to the Italians, after Valentin Antov was late with a split against Belotti.
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Photo: Bulphoto
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10 minutes later came one of the best chances for Italy. Belotti was brought behind the defense and transferred by Plamen Iliev, but the ball hit the crossbar. Then the shooter’s addition was very inaccurate.
In the 82nd minute, however, the Italians deservedly reached the second goal. The reserve Manuel Locatelli realized with a precise rebate shot, leaving him enough space in the penalty area.
After the goal, the guests played more calmly and came to two more very advantageous situations. Plamen Iliev intervened wonderfully in both of them after strikes by the reserve Ciro Imobile.
After 3 days, Bulgaria visited Northern Ireland in search of its first victory.
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