By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers from an Italian Perspective

                         A goalless draw but not enough for the defending World Champions
                              Bulgaria 46% ball possession and Italy 54% ball possession
                           Bulgaria 0 - 0 Italy 

Substitutes:  35' Lucio Vagner out, Ivan Ivanov in    68' Di Natale out, Giuseppe Rossi in
                      90' Martin Petrov out, Ivelin Popov in    68' Montolivo out, Simone Perrotta in
                                                                                   73' Gilardino out, Luca Toni in

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The moment has come for the Italian National team to grasp the 3 points. 
I am ready to watch the match and waving my Italian flags. Just watching right now the pre-game on RAI ITALIA.  Wow, the stadium is crowded!!!

Forza Ragazzi. We got to win.  Cheer up Azzurri and all fans. Let's be united.

Here is the starting eleven formation from Bulgaria by Bulgaria Head Coach Markov:

BULGARIA (4-1-4-1): Ivankov; Milanov, Iliev, Tunchev, Wagner; S. Petrov; Dimitrov, Georgiev, Yankov, M. Petrov; Berbatov

Here is the starting eleven formation from Italy by Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi:

ITALIA (4-3-3): Amelia; Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio  Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Dossena; Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo; Simone Pepe, Alberto Gilardino, Antonio Di Natale.

I am glad finally Lippi opted for Alberto Gilardino who is having a better season than Luca Toni.  Guys, camera showing all fans waving their Italian flags and the teams on the field.  Zambrotta is making his 79th appearance with the Nazionale. Bravo Zambrotta!

Closeups with the Azzurri singing the Italian National Anthem "L'inno di Mameli." Wowww, I am so proud of our Azzurri.  Cannavaro singing, Amelia, Zambrotta. FORZAAAAA.  Too bad many Bulgarian fans whistled the anthem! 

Bulgaria - Italy        Saturday, October 11, 2008         11:15 a.m. USA Pacific time              Italy - Montenegro        Wednesday, October 15, 2008             Make your BET now!!     They play, you WIN! Open an account now with eurobet.com Italian National Team  Buy your Official Italian National Team Gear Click Here  to buy Italy Home Soccer Jersey, Italy Away Soccer Jersey, Italy 4 star goalkeeper jersey, Caps, Italy socks, Italia Soccer Balls, Italy Soccer Scarf, Italy World Cup Posters, etc. CLick here  to buy  your soccer fans wigs

In the 5th minute, corner for Italy.  AS Roma midfielder takes the corner kick from the left.. uuffaaa a right footed shot but hit the far post!   Come on guys!!

Wow, it is amazing so much hostility that even the police is involved to keep safety with the few Italian fans traveling to Bulgaria. The stadium is hostile and whistles for the Azzurri can be felt.  This is why experienced players are useful here not easily nervous in this type of situation.

Guys, marcello Lippi profits a chance to give indications to Italy and Udinese forward  Simone Pepe to exchange more balls with the players.

In the 9th minute,  Martin Petrov duel with Zambrotta.  Hey, not pushing around Petrov!!!!  Good to see Zambrotta strong and not intimidated by the whistles every time Italy has ball possession.


Bulgarian Martin Petrov (L) vies for the ball with Italy Gianluca Zambrotta (R) during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match at Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on October 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Click the video to watch the highlights of the 2010 World Cup Qualifier match Bulgaria - Italy



Wow, what a foul from Bulgaria on Gattuso. The guy got him from his waist line and goes down.  No card.

Now, Lippi gives instruction to Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo taking advantage of this quick break.  What a hostile atmosphere and the Azzurri better be focused and not feel intimidated. 

In the 16th minute, Berbatov receives an assist from the distance and he is offside.

In the 21st minute, Martin Petrov runs from the left to surprise the Azzurri and thanks God our Captain Fabio Cannavaro deflects the ball and Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia sees no problem to get the ball.


Better watch out with Petrov!!!!   Forza Ragazzi!!!

In the  31st minute, Lucio Wagner commits a foul on Udinese forward Simone Pepe and it is free kick for the Azzurri, guys.  AC Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta takes the direct free kick with a right footed shot from the right wing but nothing happens!!!!   Oh well, we still have time. Forza!



Italy Antonio Di Natale (L) vies for the ball with Bulgarian Zhivko Milanov (R) during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match at Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on October 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF

In the 35th minute, Bulgaria forced to make their first substitution for injury. Lucio Vagner out, Ivan Ivanov in

Guys, I am not liking this first half.  I still waiting to see the "World Champions." 

In the half time, RAI ITALIA interviewed special guest actor SEBASTIAN SOMMA!!! I love it!  Soma is filming his serie "Un caso di coscienza 3" in Bulgaria. He said to be surprised for the hostility because he has worked in Bulgaria for many years and not seeing this anti - Italy sentiment. Sure, guys, I think is mostly only for football?  Well, still, it was too much!

In the 59th minute, a clear chance for Gilardino to score when Simone Pepe takes the corner kick with a right footed  shot to the center but Gilardino cannot arrive on time to head the ball.



Italy Alberto Gelardino reacts after missing to score against Bulgaria during their FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying football match at Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on October 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF

In the 68th minute, Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi makes two substitution. Riccardo Montolivo out, Simone Perrotta in; Antonio Di Natale out, Giuseppe Rossi in

 Oh wow....  Despite Alberto Gilardino having many chances to score and showing determination, Marcello Lippi decides to substitute him in the 73rd minute for guess who? who?  LUCA TONI!  Well, let's hope Luca scores.

Too bad Gilardino could not score. Yet, here is the chance for Bayern Munich forward Luca Toni to unblock himself and score.  Forza Luca!



Bulgarian Stiliyan Petrov (L), Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta (C) and Pepe Simone jump for the ball during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match at Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia, on October 11, 2008. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF

In the 86th minute, the Roman gladiator Daniele De Rossi gets a yellow card! 

In the 88th mintue, the very first test for Italy and Palermo goalkeeper Marco Amelia when Yankov almost pour the cold shower and Amelia was there to dive  on time and save!!!!!   Bravo Amelia!   

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In the 90th minute, Bulgaria makes their second substitution. Martin Petrov out, Ivelin Popov in.

In the 92nd minute, Luca Toni is booked for a foul!  wow, it means he will miss the match against Montenegro. Unbelievable... our guys losing control in the last minutes. Oh well, this might help Lippi to prepare the next match with Gilardino, Di Natale, Pepe and Giuseppe Rossi.

Nothing to do guys but just continue to support the Azzurri.  Personally, I expected more, a victory, a convincing victory.  A draw that only satisfy Bulgaria who were looking for a draw or victory.  Instead the Azzurri were looking for a victory.  I might say the best player from the Azzurri was Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. 

I am happy with the performance from goalkeeper Marco Amelia. Sure, not having many interventions, but the few he had he could save.  Bravo Amelia. 

Italy had 54% ball possession compared to 46% from Bulgaria, yet not able to convert a single shot on goal out of the 10 they had.

Simone Pepe, he did better in the second half. Overall, a good debut for Pepe.  Riccardo Montolivo not really effective. Daniele De Rossi super! Gattuso, as usual, the roaring lion commanding the field lifting up the spirit of everybody.  Great for Gattuso. 

Simply put, guys, Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi still has to bring back the World Cup Champions. It is the third match and no sign of consistency.  You might argue Lippi has not lose a match  yet, but neither has deliver convincing victories.   What do yout think?  So.. now.. .let's see what happens on Wednesday in the match against Montenegro.

	2010 World Cup Qualifiers Standings Group 8 as of October 11, 2008	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
	Italy	3	2	1	0	4	1	7
	Ireland Republic	2	1	1	0	2	1	4
	Bulgaria	2	0	2	0	2	2	2
	Montenegro	2	0	2	0	2	2	2
	Cyprus	2	0	1	1	2	3	1
	Georgia	3	0	1	2	2	5	1

Check any of the following live streams to watch the match Bulgaria-Italy.

Stream #1 OR Stream #2 OR Stream #3

LINEUPS

2010 World Cup Qualifiers Europe Group 8  Bulgaria - 0 - 0 Italy Saturday, October 11, 2008 Sofia, Bulgaria
	Bulgaria	Italy
Goals	0	0
Shots (on Goal)	6(2)	10(2)
Fouls	23	18
Corner Kicks	2	6
Offsides	1	3
Time of Possession	46%	54%
Yellow Cards	0	3
Red Cards	0	0
Saves	3	2

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers

Bulgaria - Italy
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sofia, Bulgaria
Attendance: 46,000
11:15 a.m. USA Pacific time

Click here to buy your Bulgaria Home Jersey


BULGARIA (4-1-4-1): Ivankov; Milanov, Iliev, Tunchev, Wagner (35' Ivanov); S. Petrov; Dimitrov, Georgiev, Yankov, M. Petrov (90'  Popov); Berbatov.

Subs not used: Petkov, Kotev, Manolev, Lazarov, Gargorov)

Coach: Markov


ITALY (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Marco Amelia
Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, and Dossena
Midfielders: Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo (68' Simone Perrotta)
Forwards: Simone  Pepe, Alberto Gilardino (73' Luca Toni), Antonio Di Natale (68' Giuseppe Rossi)

Subs not used: De Sanctis, Gamberini, Bonera, Aquilani

Coach: Marcello Lippi

Related Stories:

-  23 Called Up Players by Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers South Africa Against Bulgaria and Montenegro on Oct. 11 and Oct. 15, 2008

-  RESULT 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifier Europe Group 8: Italy 2 - 0 Georgia Goals by Daniele De Rossi, Wednesday, September 10, 2008


What do you think of the result?  Which player surprised you or disappointed you and why?



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