World Cup Qualifying Preview: Bulgaria - Montenegro

The hosts must overcome some tricky opposition in Sofia to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive…

Sep 4, 2009 3:00:01 PM

More On :  Bulgaria, Montenegro, Bulgaria vs Montenegro
Dimitar Berbatov runs riot against Italy in World Cup qualifying (Grazia Neri)
Kick Off: Saturday, September 5, 19.30 CET
Vasilij Levski Stadium, Sofia

Qualification Hanging By A Thread

When these two sides faced each other last year, Bulgaria took to the field with high hopes of qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Since the 2-2 draw in Podgorica, however, Plamen Markov has been sacked after goalless draws against Italy and Georgia, being replaced by former national coach Stanimir Stoilov.
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Although Bulgaria have drawn five out of their six games so far, they still have an outside chance of qualification from Group 8 as they face Montenegro almost a year on from the group opener. The nation is expecting a performance against Zoran Filipovic’s side, as they have a daunting trip to Turin to follow next week.

“I can do better and I can do more,” claimed Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov prior to the fixture, and the hosts will certainly need the €35m striker to have his shooting boots on against the Montenegrins. Berbatov has not scored in the qualifying campaign so far, and the pressure is beginning to mount as Bulgaria face up to the possibility that they will spend next summer at home while the world’s elite are in South Africa.

Dangerous Attacking Threat

Zoran Filipovic will lead his troops into Sofia with little to play for in terms of qualification, as they currently sit in fifth place in Group 8 on four points from six games. However, the former Red Star Belgrade coach will hope to secure Montenegro’s first ever competitive victory against Bulgaria.

Montenegro’s task will be made easier by the return of Mirko Vucinic to the fold; the Roma striker has scored six goals in 12 games for the national side. Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic and Simon Vukcevic of Sporting Clube de Portugal came up against each other in the Champions League last month, but will combine against Bulgaria and will surely cause problems in the hosts’ defence.

Dejan Damjanovic will also pose an attacking threat for the visitors, as the 28-year-old was instrumental in Montenegro’s 2-2 draw in Nicosia against Cyprus. The FC Seoul striker notched both goals in just his second appearance for the national team.


FORM GUIDE

Bulgaria

August 12 v Latvia (H) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)

June 6 v Republic of Ireland (H) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

April 1 v Cyprus (H) – WON 2-0 (World Cup Qualifier)

March 28 v Republic of Ireland (A) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup Qualifier)

February 11 v Switzerland (A) – DREW 1-1 (Friendly)

Montenegro

August 12 v Wales (H) – WON 2-1 (Friendly)

June 6 v Cyprus (A) – DREW 2-2 (World Cup Qualifier)

April 1 v Georgia (A) – DREW 5-0 (World Cup Qualifier)

March 28 v Italy (H) – LOST 0-2 (World Cup Qualifier)

November 19 v Macedonia (H) – WON 2-1 (Friendly)


TEAM NEWS

Bulgaria

Aleksander Tunchev is not yet match fit as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out of the end of last season, and has been omitted from the squad. Zhivko Milanov is suspended for the Montenegro tie, forcing Stoilov into changing his defensive personnel.

Previous Starting XI (vs. Latvia): Mihailov, Nikolov, Milanov, Tunchev, Manolev, Angelov, Georgiev, Yankov, Berbatov, M Petrov, Popov

Montenegro

Roma forward and international captain Vucinic is back in the squad after injury, while Andrija Delibasic and Srdan Blazic could both make their debuts for Filipovic’s side.

Previous Starting XI (vs. Wales): Poleksic, Dzudovic, Jovanovic, Pavicevic, Batak, Vukcevic, Jovetic, Dalovic, Pekovic, Drincic, Bozovic


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria)

The Manchester United striker is full of the right intentions, but the question is – can he deliver? He has failed to score in the qualifying campaign so far, but is just six goals shy of Hristo Bonev’s all-time record of 47 goals for Bulgaria. Berbatov would love to get on the score-sheet against Montenegro, and break Bonev’s record in South Africa next summer.

Stevan Jovetic (Montenegro)

The young midfielder has scored two crucial goals already for Fiorentina this season and is brimming with confidence. He will certainly be difficult to stop if he is allowed time on the ball by the Bulgarian defence, and Stoilov will have to watch the 19-year-old’s influence on the game closely.


PREDICTION

Bulgaria will be nervous when they take to the pitch, with the expectant Sofia public urging them on. The fans will need to stay on the team’s side if things do not go smoothly in the opening stages. Despite the quality that Montenegro have in their line up, the hosts should edge this encounter.

Bulgaria 2-1 Montenegro

Anthony Wright, Goal.com
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