Prandelli: Italy have to be satisfied with Bulgaria draw

Sep 8, 2012 8:35:00 AM

The national team coach was content to leave Sofia with a point, as he admitted that the Italians did not enjoy the best of games

Cesare Prandelli feels that Italy's 2-2 draw versus Bulgaria in Friday evening's 2014 World Cup qualifier was not a bad result for the Euro 2012 finalists, but admitted that the Azzurri were unable to play their own game as the hosts dictated play.

Stanislav Manolev gifted the Bulgarians a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute, before a Pablo Osvaldo double turned the game on its head. Nevertheless, Georgi Milanov restored parity again after the interval to help the hosts to a draw.

"A point in an away game versus Bulgaria is quite valuable. We always struggle a bit at the start of the campaign, so we have to be satisfied with the draw," Prandelli stated at his post-match press conference.

"It's a bit of a shame that we didn't bag the full three points as we got some good chances to make it 3-1. That would have taken the wind out of their sails a bit and calmed us down.

"We were unable to play at our own tempo and lacked accuracy in our passing. We allowed Bulgaria to dictate the game and run at our defenders."

Italy take on Malta on Tuesday in their second 2014 World Cup qualifier.

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