Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini not satisfied with the draw against Bulgaria. Mancini giving his declarations after the game saying, “We lacked precision in the final third. They defended well and we gave it our all to try and win. We have a big game coming up on Sunday against Switzerland. We’ll try to go out and win it.”
Mancini emphasizing, “You do get games where you could play 90 minutes extra and still not score. They defended well, though we gave it our all. They countered once and they scored – that’s football. It would’ve been better to win, but Sunday’s game is an important one and we’ll go there with the intent to win.”
On a positive note, Roberto Mancini has become the Italy manager with the most home games without any defeat reaching 18 (11 wins and 7 draws) in Italy’s history, overtaking Head Coach Marcello Lippi with 17).
Photo via twitter.com/Azzurri_En
Italy after Matchday 4 remain in the top position with 10 points, but Switzerland have two games in hand. Italy will play against Switzerland on Sunday in Basel.
👉 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group C, Italy leading with 10 points
Group C Standing
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Goal difference
Points
🇮🇹 Italy
4
3
1
0
7
1
6
10
🇨🇭 Switzerland
2
2
0
0
4
1
3
6
Northern Ireland
3
1
1
1
4
3
1
4
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
4
0
2
2
2
6
-4
2
🇱🇹 Lithuania
3
0
0
3
1
7
-6
0
Federico Chiesa was one of the standout performers at the Euro and confirmed tonight that that certainly wasn’t just a flash in the pan. Under the watchful gaze of his father Enrico in the stands and in the city where he first made his name as a footballer, Federico scored his fourth Italy goal, even though it didn’t materialise into an Azzurri win. “We didn’t get the three points today, which would’ve meant going into Sunday’s game with a bit less pressure,” he said. “We’ll a repeat performance from the Euros against Switzerland. We weren’t clinical enough in the final third but we played some good football – the goals will come.”
Italy couldn’t manage more than a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Florence one year ago too: “There’s a bit of regret; we’re a mature team and we need to think about winning each and every game. We began last year with a draw at home last year too, and we had a lot of self-belief back then too and the results followed. We’ll need to do the same now, with enthusiasm and the energy transmitted to us by the coach every day.”
In his press conference yesterday, Leonardo Bonucci underlined the hidden difficulties of the first outing of the season. “We’d said that it would be a difficult game because they were tight at the back. We had our chances to win but we rushed things and weren’t clinical enough. It’s a shame; we wanted to celebrate a winning start with our fans but we played our game and I saw the same spirit on show as in the Euros. We’ll take this point and go to Switzerland to win, and then we’ll see.”
🏆👉Result Italy 1 – 1 Bulgaria
⚽️Goals: 16′ Federico Chiesa (I), 39′ Atanas Iliev (B)
✍️ Ball Possession: 🇮🇹 79% @Azzurri_En and 21% Bulgaria
79% Ball Possession ITALY and 21% Ball Possession BULGARIA
Italy 1 – 1 Bulgaria
16′ Federico Chiesa 39′ Atanas Iliev
Italy failing to win the FIFA World Cup Qualification game against Bulgaria on Thursday 2 September 2021 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy. Sadly, Italy playing their first game as Euro Champions after winning the UEFA Euro 2020 not giving an outstanding performance. A draw for Bulgaria is more like a victory and a flop for Italy. On the other hand, despite this draw, Italy reaching Brazil and Spain record for 35 unbeaten games. Roberto Mancini becoming Italy coach with the most home games without any defeat reaching 18 (11 wins and 7 draws) in Italy’s history, overtaking Head Coach Marcello Lippi with 17). Good news is that Italy keep the 1st position with 10 points.
18 – Roberto Mancini (W11, D7) has become the Italy manager with the most home games without any defeat (18) in the Azzurri history, overtaking Marcello Lippi (17). Patriotic.#ItalyBulgariapic.twitter.com/3gLK7vOiJb
35 – Italy are unbeaten in their last 35 games, equaling Spain’s European streak (35: 2007-2009). Globally, only Brazil have had a longer streak (36: 1993-1996). Unstoppable.#ItalyBulgariapic.twitter.com/8wdqjbTJEv
Stats before the game: There are 20 precedents between Italy and Bulgaria with the balance in favor of the Azzurri : Italy with 11 wins, 7 draws, and Bulgaria with just 2 wins. The last match between the two teams dates back to 28 March 2021, a match valid for the world qualifiers, with Italy’s 2-0 win away.
Italy opening the score in the 16th minute. It is Federico Chiesa to take care of business defeating Bulgaria goalkeeper Georgiev with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
👉 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group C, Italy leading with 10 points
Group C Standing
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Goal difference
Points
🇮🇹 Italy
4
3
1
0
7
1
6
10
🇨🇭 Switzerland
2
2
0
0
4
1
3
6
Northern Ireland
3
1
1
1
4
3
1
4
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
4
0
2
2
2
6
-4
2
🇱🇹 Lithuania
3
0
0
3
1
7
-6
0
1994 – Prior to Federico Chiesa, the last Juventus player to score a goal from outside the box against Bulgaria with Italy was Roberto Baggio, back in 1994 during the World Cup. Appeals.#ItalyBulgaria
Bulgaria equalizing for the 1-1 in the 39th minute. It is Atanas Iliev to equalize for Bulgaria defeating Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a left footed shot to the center. The assist is by Kiril Despodov.
Bulgaria equalizing for the 1-1 in the 39th minute following a fast break. Atanas Iliev scores for Bulgaria with a left footed shot to the center. The assist is by Kiril Despodov.https://t.co/pNJp8aLYb0https://t.co/niORJZn4AJ
It is Referee Serdar Gözübüyük from Netherlands will be assisted by Assistant Referee 1: Joost van Zuilen (NED) and Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder (NED). The Fourth Official will be Allard Lindhout (NED). The VAR will be Pol van Boekel (NED) and the AVAR will be Rob Dieperink (NED). The Referee Assessor will be Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
🏆👉🇮🇹 Italy vs Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Match Officials
🗓️Thursday 2 September 2021
🏟️Artemio Franchi
⏲️20:45
👉 Here are Italy vs Bulgaria official starting lineups for the FIFA World Cup Qualification game on Thursday 2 September 2021 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy at 20:45.
It is Referee Serdar Gözübüyük from Netherlands will be assisted by Assistant Referee 1: Joost van Zuilen (NED) and Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder (NED). The Fourth Official will be Allard Lindhout (NED). The VAR will be Pol van Boekel (NED) and the AVAR will be Rob Dieperink (NED). The Referee Assessor will be Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
🏆👉🇮🇹 Italy vs Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Match Officials
🗓️Thursday 2 September 2021
🏟️Artemio Franchi
⏲️20:45
Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini ready to continue the successful journey withe the Italian team after winning the UEFA EURO 2020. Italy is now archiving that victory to concentrate for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifications. Matchday 4 is Italy vs Bulgaria on Thursday 2 September 2021 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy at 20:45. Mancini is looking for a fourth consecutive victory in the qualifiers. If Italy win, Mancini will equal the record of consecutive unbeaten results (35) held by Spain between 2007 and 2009.
Mancini saying, “I want to thank the fans who supported us during the European Championship. Tomorrow we must do what we know how to do, the stakes are already very high and there must be no distractions”. The hope is that, on 11 July in London, Italy opened a new cycle, made up of beautiful play and successes: “For three years – explained Mancini – our hope has been to involve the boys in doing something different than in the past, something that could lead us to a cycle of important victories. We won the European Championship, and in 13-14 months we will have the World Cup. The goal is to keep playing like this, to qualify and then try to win it. But for now, we have to pay attention to the next three games which are decisive”.
👉 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group C, Italy leading with 9 points
Historically, the Azzurri have always struggled in September, when Serie A is in its infancy and opponents usually have more fuel in their legs. Better to be cautious then, even if the current Bulgaria side are a distant relative of the national team that faced Baggio and his teammates in the semi-final of the USA ’94 World Cup. A team without stars, relegated to 75th place in the FIFA Rankings, and already beaten 2-0 six months ago in Sofia thanks to goals scored by Belotti and Locatelli: Coach Mancini warned: “The first match is always the trickiest because you’re coming back after some time. We need to have maximum concentration. But in these days we’ve evaluated the health of the players and it’s not so bad, they’ve had fewer holidays and their athletic condition is good”.
After announcing that the formation will be similar to that which lined up in the European final, the coach replied to those who asked him if Sarri’s new set-up could bring benefits to Immobile: “Ciro has always done well, as has Belotti. He just has to keep playing and stay calm. Sometimes it takes a bit more effort, also because some games were played at the highest level, but he and Gallo have always done what they had to do”.
Among the heroes of Wembley was Leonardo Bonucci, who scored his eighth and undoubtedly most important goal for the national team on 11 July: “The best moment – he declared at today’s press conference – was the team embrace after Gigio’s save, even if at that moment some of us didn’t realise that it was a decisive save. In that embrace, there was all the sacrifice, the hunger, and the desire to win the European Championship. Now we have found ourselves with the enthusiasm, and with friends and companions with whom we will be linked forever. We’ve also been joined by players who were already part of the group before the European Championship, so they know how to carry themselves”.
The important thing now is to look ahead and not rest on our laurels: “Now the race for the World Cup begins again, and the matches won’t be easy” underlined the Juventus defender. “We have to sit at the table knowing we are strong, but with the humility that distinguished us at the European Championship. Bulgaria are a good team at closing you down and countering. Tomorrow evening we’ll play a great game, with great energy that will come to us from the public. I’m sure the fans will give us a hand if we have a difficult time”.
============================== Ticket option for Italy National team games
🇮🇹 👉 The Italian National Team Schedule (all times CEST)
Wednesday 1 September
17:30 – Italy press conference at the Coverciano CTF Auditorium
18:00 – Italy training at the ‘Vittorio Pozzo’ pitch at Coverciano
19:30 – Bulgaria press conference at the ‘Franchi’ stadium in Florence
20:00 – Bulgaria training at the ‘Franchi’ stadium in Florence (open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
Thursday 2 September
20:45 – ITALY vs. Bulgaria (Stadio ‘Franchi’ in Florence). Press conference after the match and return to Coverciano
Friday 3 September
11:30 – Training at the ‘Vittorio Pozzo’ pitch at Coverciano
Saturday 4 September
10:00 – Switzerland press conference at St. Jacob Park in Basel
11:00 – Switzerland Training at St. Jacob Park in Basel (open to the press the first 15′)
11:00 – Transfer Florence-Basel
17:30 – Press conference ITALY at the St. Jacob Park in Basel
18:00 – ITALY training at the St. Jacob Park in Basel (open to the press the first 15′)
Sunday 5 September
20:45 – Switzerland vs. ITALY (St. Jacob’s Park stadium). Press conference after the match
Monday 6 September
11:30 – Training at the C.S. Basel (closed)
18:00 – Transfer Basel-Reggio Emilia
Tuesday 7 September
16:45 – ITALY press conference at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium
17:15 – ITALY training at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium (open to the press the first 15′)
18:15 – Lithuania press conference at ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium
18:45 – Lithuania training at ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium (open to the press the first 15′)
Wednesday 8 September
20:45 – ITALY vs. Lithuania (Città del Tricolore Stadium). At the end of the match, press conference, disbandment of the delegation and return of players and staff to their respective headquarters
👉 Here are the match officials for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game Italy vs Bulgaria on Thursday 2 September 2021 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy at 20:45.
It is Referee Serdar Gözübüyük from Netherlands will be assisted by Assistant Referee 1: Joost van Zuilen (NED) and Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder (NED). The Fourth Official will be Allard Lindhout (NED). The VAR will be Pol van Boekel (NED) and the AVAR will be Rob Dieperink (NED). The Referee Assessor will be Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
🏆👉🇮🇹 Italy vs Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Match Officials
🗓️Thursday 2 September 2021
🏟️Artemio Franchi
⏲️20:45
🇮🇹 👉 The Italian National Team Schedule (all times CEST)
Thursday 2 September 2021
20.45 – ITALY vs. Bulgaria (Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence). Media duties and return to Coverciano following the game. Friday 3 September 2021
11.30 – Training on the ‘Vittorio Pozzo’ pitch at Coverciano Saturday 4 September 2021
10.00 – Swiss press conference at St. Jacob Park in Basel
11.00 – Swiss training at the St. Jacob Park in Basel (open for first 15 minutes)
11.00 – Transfer Florence – Basel
17.30 – ITALY press conference at St. Jacob Park in Basel
18.00 – ITALY training at St. Jacob Park in Basel (open for first 15 minutes) Sunday 5 September 2021
20.45 – Switzerland vs. ITALY (St. Jacob Park). Media duties following the game Monday 6 September 2021
11.30 – Training at the C.S. Basel (closed)
18.00 – Transfer Basel – Reggio Emilia Tuesday 7 September 2021
16.45 – ITALY press conference at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium
17.15 – ITALY training at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium (open for first 15 minutes)
18.15 –Lithuania press conference at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium
18.45 – Lithuania training at the ‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium (open for first 15 minutes) Wednesday 8 September 2021
20.45 – ITALY vs. Lithuania (‘Città del Tricolore’ stadium). Media duties after the match, then the return of players and staff to their respective clubs.
By Anna Italia
