Bulgaria U19 team and Italy U18 settled for a 0:0 draw in a friendly game in Castellaneta. There were over 4000 spactators at the “Giovanni De Bellis” stadium, sold out for the occasion. Roberto Baronio made his debut as a manager of the home team.
In the first half the hosts made a few good scoring chances, and the post also helped Mihail Mihaylov to save his net dry. Matarese and Tumminello came close to open the scoring but the Bulgarian goalkeeper kept his nerve and saved. In the 35th minute Simone Lo Faso made a fine run by the left side and shot but the ball hit the post. Until the end of the first half Mihaylov made another fine save to deny Degl`Innocenti after a free kick. Atanasov received a yellow card after he committed a foul against Matarese.
In the very beginning of the second half Aleksander Georgiev came close to open the scoring but the ball went out just centimeters from the post. A few minutes later again Georgiev tried to score after a free kick but Giacomel saved. In the 67th minute Yordanov`s volley shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Later in the game Mosti crossed the ball from a corner-kick, but Tofanari`s shot went wide. In the end of the game the hosts missed another good goalscoring opportunity. Kokolo made a fine cross but Besiceri couldn`t find the target and the match finished 0:0.
The game was a part of the teams` preparation for the upcoming European qualifications against Cyprus, Poland and Luxembourg in November. Before the start of the European campaign Svetoslav Todorov`s team will play three friendly matches as host against Scotland on 2nd and 4th of September and Turkey on 13th of October.
Svetoslav Todorov, Bulgaria coach:
„I would like to thank all my players for the effort they have shown today. They all gave what they could on the pitch. This is the way for our team to develop and to gain experience and self confidence by playing in this kind of matches against teams like Italy. The game was equivalent and both teams tried to outplay the opponent. We had our chances, but the Italian goalkeeper made a fine game today. The boys are in top shape. This is a result of the good work of my colleagues who are preparing the players in the clubs.”
Bulgaria`s Line Up: Mihaylov, Atanasov, Kupenov, Kerchev, Minkov, An. Georgiev, Alichkov, Kraev (86 min. – Ivanov), Yordanov, Cvyatkov (68 min. – Iliev), Al. Georgiev – captain (90+2 min. – Iliev)
Department "Public Relations and Media"
