From Ukraine to Bulgaria, from Kiev to Sofia, from Balotelli-Cassano to Osvaldo-Giovinco. We had remained in the final against Spain, a sad epilogue to a nonetheless exhilarating European adventure, and we find ourselves at the start of the World Cup qualifiers, ready to embark on a journey that should lead us to Brazil in 2014. The stimuli are different, the stakes as well, but the game must be won at all costs, under penalty of a jolt that could destabilize an environment at the very beginning of an important journey. “The keyword is qualification. - he has declared Cesare Prandelli on the eve of the match. – We have to give continuity to the game, and be generous. The European gives us a wealth of important experience, but we have to be good at questioning ourselves”. Yes, because the coach feels too benevolent an air, far from the pre-European storm. And since, historically speaking, the national team gives its best when under pressure, Prandelli tried to take on the challenge: “There is concern because everyone takes victory for granted. Instead we give our best when we are a little scared. Bulgaria is a team that is renewing itself, but it is very interesting. We will find a warm environment in Sofia, we are one of the teams to beat, it will be difficult, but we have trained very well." To face the Bulgarians, Prandelli will rely on the Juventus group: at the Levski Stadium there will be as many as 7 black and whites who will start from the first minute, so much so that some evil ones have already renamed the national team as Ital-Juve. Even here, however, the good Caesar is not there: "Conte did a great job, but I had called up some Juventus players even before he arrived on the bench, and I was also criticized for this. I claim my choices." Correct clarification, but it is undeniable that Conte's Juve ended up influencing his decisions. In addition to the men, the formation will also be the same, that 3-5-2 with which the Bianconeri won last season. But this will also be an opportunity to see other very interesting players at work, above all Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, who will team up with Giovinco (by the way, Formica Atomica has taken the number 10 shirt, which for now is off in Turin). limits), but also Insigne, Verratti and Ogbonna. Prandelli has a young and technical group at his disposal, which can take us to Brazil without too many problems. Provided, however, that no one makes the mistake of underestimating the Bulgarian away match, which has never seen us win. In the four previous games played there, Italy recorded two defeats (1968 and 1991) and as many draws (the last one in 2008, 0-0 with Donadoni on the bench). The time has come to win.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Bulgaria (4-3-3): Mikhailov; Y. Minev, Bodurov, Ivanov, V. Minev; Gadzhev, Dyakov, G. Milanov; Manolev, Gargorov, Popov.
On the bench: Petrov, V. Stoyanov, I. Milanov, Alexandrov, Zanev, Sarmov, Galchev, I. Stoyanov, Mizanski, Rangelov, Genkov.
Ct: Luboslav Penev.
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: nobody.
Unavailable: Berbatov.
Italy (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; May, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Blazers; Giovinco, Oswald.
On the bench: De Sanctis, Acerbi, Cassani, Peluso, Diamonds, Nocerino, Poli, Verratti, Borini, Destro, Insigne, Pazzini.
Ct:Cesare Prandelli.
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: nobody.
Unavailable: Balzaretti, Astori, Balotelli.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)
Line Assistants: M. Mullarkey (ENG) – S. Burt (ENG).
Fourth official: Andre Mariner (ENG).
