Trapattoni: Bulgaria Will Be Tough Nut to Crack for Italy

“Italy will be Bulgarians' last chance of making the play-off,” Irish coach Trapattoni said on Monday. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni believes Bulgaria will pose a challenge to Italy in Wednesday evening's vital World Cup qualifier in Turin.

"I think Bulgaria are a good team. They have very good, creative players. For them in Italy, I think this will be their last chance of making the play-off," Trapattoni said on Monday.

"Italy did not play well in Georgia but it was enough to win. I know the Bulgarian players have quality and they will engage Italy a lot."

As for his own side, Trap believes that qualification is still a 50/50 equation.

"I said ten months ago that qualification is a long campaign of arm-wrestling. I can say today that we are 50 per cent on the way to qualifying. We are in good condition and we can win against Italy in Dublin. It would not be a surprise."

Bulgaria won 4-1 against Montenegro at the Vasil Levski stadium in Sofia on Saturday evening to keep their hopes of qualifying for the football World Cup in South Africa alive.

Bulgaria have 11 points from 7 games and will face Italy in Turin in another critical qualifier on Wednesday evening.

Italy and the Republic of Ireland are currently ahead of Bulgaria in group 8.

 

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