Matthaeus Brings Bojinov Back to Bulgaria Squad

Valeri Bojinov was expected to be the key player Lothar Matthaeus will rely on after failing to convince Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to return to the squad. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria new coach Lothar Matthaeus has included Parma striker Valeri Bojinov in the squad for its upcoming friendly against Serbia after dropping him earlier this month before the European Championship qualifier against Wales.

Bojinov initially featured in the line-up against Wales when Lothar Matthaeus recalled 18 overseas-based players in the squad for his first match in charge, but was dropped after the coach watched the striker play against Fiorentina in Serie A.

The move was surprising as Bojinov was expected to be the key player Lothar Matthaeus will rely on after failing to convince Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to return to the squad.

Bulgaria's national football team will face Balkan neighbors Serbia in a friendly in Sofia on November 17.

This will be Serbia's first international since October 12, when violent Serbian fans clashed with Italian police following the two countries' canceled Euro 2012 qualifying match in Genoa. Sixteen people including two police officers were hospitalized, seventeen were arrested.

Bulgaria new boss Lothar Matthaeus has set himself the ambitious goal to qualify the team for Euro 2012.

Bulgaria's national football team beat Wales 1:0 in Cardiff at the beginning of October in a match, which marked Matthaeus' debut as its coach.

Thus, after losing from England and Montenegro at the start, Bulgaria won their first three points in Group G of the Euro 2012 qualifications.

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