I LOVE AZZURRI :: Italy Held In Bulgaria

The World Champions huffed and puffed in Sofia but they were unable to blow the house down as a resilient and well organized Bulgaria side made life difficult for Italy. Bulgaria 0-0 Italy

First Half
Bulgaria got the game underway and they tried to hold onto possession in an attempt to frustrate the World Champions early on. However it was the Italians who had the first chance after Iliev fouled Alberto Gilardino. Daniele De Rossi stepped up but he drove his free kick wide. Minutes later, Italy should have had a penalty when Ivankov hacked down Gilardino but the referee waved play on. replays show it should have been a spot kick rather than a corner. The Bulgarian 'Keeper clipped the striker's feet.

Italy were without several stars including Gianluigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi but their absence was not felt as the Azzurri started brightly. Dimitar Berbatov came close for Bulgaria when he latched onto Georgiev's cross but his finish was inaccurate. The game was slow as both teams tested the waters.

The Azzurri kept on coming forward with Gilardino proving to be a menace as he made himself useful in the box but he was ruled offside after trying to meet Antonio Di Natale's cross shot. Martin Petrov tried his luck from distance but he failed to trouble Marco Amelia in goal.

The Italians looked decent and were patient with their build up play. De Rossi was the link man but Bulgaria were always comfortable in defence.Neither side were able to take advantage of the chances they were creating. Both teams were afraid of conceding and they just didn't do enough to take any risk and go for broke.

Second Half

Lippi kept the same team for the second half and the Azzurri came out fighting. Giorgio Chiellini went on a super run down the wing as he tried to get the ball moving for his side but his cross into the box was cut out by the home team. There was also trouble in the crowd between both sets of fans with Police taking a hard line against the hardcore fans as minor scuffles broke out in the stands.It seemed like a tit-for-tat game as neither team were able to take control.

Riccardo Montolivo was outstanding as his pinpoint passing created several openings for his Viola team mate Gila but the striker was at times slow to react. Georgiev was then brought down by Gattuso but his free kick didn't trouble Amelia as it fizzed high and wide.

Italy looked flat and out of ideas at times as Bulgaria passed their way around the park with efficiency and prowess. The sparks were lacking for Lippi's men. The injured Andrea Pirlo was missed in the middle as was Camoranesi as the game wore on. Simone Pepe made his debut for the Azzurri and he was showing just why he was picked by the coach as his brilliant skill down the right had the home side panic. His cross found Gilardino's head but the finish was poor as Ivankov saw the ball fly over the crossbar.

Liverpool's Andrea Dossena had a few shaky moments but he proved his worth on the left as he kept on charging down the wing. Milanov cut out his cross but De Rossi's corner as a result was easy for Ivankov as he cuaght the ball nicely. Giladirno was then unlucky not to have given La Nazionale the lead they deserved as he was whiskers away from connecting with Pepe's free kick.

Bulgaria hardly threatened as Lippi made a double substitution. Villarreal hit-man Giuseppe Rossi came on for Di Natale and Montolivo went off for Roma's Simone Perrotta.Lippi looked concerned down on the touchline as his players were unable to take their chances. The World Champions just couldn't be blamed as they did create but the front men were unable to turn the chances and possession into goals.

Teams

Bulgaria 4-1-4-1: Ivankov, Milanov, Iliev, Tunchev, Wagner (Ivanov), S.Petrov, Dimitrov, Yankov, Geogiev, M.Petrov(Popov), Berbatov.

Italy 4-3-3: Amelia, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena, Gattuso, De Rossi, Montolivo(Perrotta), Pepe, Gilardino(Toni), Di Natale(Rossi).

Cards: Chiellini(Italy), De Rossi(Yellow/Italy)

Goals:0-0

News By: goal.com