:Error:Core:1672:1781: replaceValues : ReturnData False : type : replace : sql : REPLACE INTO ss_cat.amp_css_to_process (url, md5_url, lenght, article_date, over_under_50k) VALUES ('/football/republic-of-ireland/feature/in-focus-irelands-next-opponents-bulgaria_370859.html', '0ddc7a512a50c639a0730a52539bbc7e', '66724', '2019-09-09 09:43:41', '1') :from:1301:template path::449:6:1031:1251:1249:1679:1179:1156:1098:1129:1131:1030:1028:1026:1351:1685:1063:1067:1292:1048:1214:1068:1106:1253:1084:1479:1301: rd::=:|e:
SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 19 hrs 56 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RO
International Friendlies
Sep 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
BN

3-1

Browne (56'), Long (83'), Collins (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Popov (67' pen.)

In Focus: Ireland's next opponents Bulgaria

:Headline: In Focus: Ireland's next opponents Bulgaria: ID:370859: from db_amp
Krasimir Balakov's men arrive in Dublin fresh from Saturday's 4-0 drubbing by England.

The Republic of Ireland face Bulgaria in a friendly on Tuesday evening as they gear up for next month's crucial Euro 2020 double-header against Georgia and Switzerland.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what lies in wait for manager Mick McCarthy and his players.

Head coach

Krasimir Balakov took over this year (John Walton/PA)

Krasimir Balakov was appointed as Bulgaria's new head coach in May this year, succeeding former team-mate Petar Hubchev after he stood down following draws against Montenegro and Kosovo in the first two Euro 2020 qualifiers. Capped 92 times by his country and a member of the side which finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup finals, the 53-year-old former midfielder has managed in Switzerland, Croatia and Germany as well as in his native country.

Star man

Kiril Despodov, right, is a stand-out (Nick Potts/PA)

Kiril Despodov, who can play either as a winger or a striker, has been tipped to have a bright future in international football but was used only as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 4-0 defeat by England at Wembley. Brazilian-born wide-man Wanderson, who has been granted Bulgarian citizenship after helping club Ludogorets win five league titles, started against Gareth Southgate's men but at 31 cannot be said to represent the future.

Pedigree

Dimitar Berbatov, right, is a former Bulgaria international (Chris Radburn/PA)

Bulgaria's finest hour came in the United States 25 years ago when a team which included Balakov, Hubchev, Yordan Letchkov and Hristo Stoichkov was denied a place in the World Cup finals by Roberto Baggio's double for Italy. Defeat in the third/fourth-place play-off by Sweden was no disgrace, but a nation which has produced the likes of Stiliyan Petrov and Dimitar Berbatov has failed to qualify for the finals of a major tournament since 2004.

Recent form

Harry Kane put Bulgaria to the sword on Friday (Tim Goode/PA)

Balakov got his job after a disappointing start to the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, but things have gone from bad to worse since. The two points Bulgaria – ranked 60th in the world – collected from their opening Group A fixtures under Hubchev remain the only two in their account, with successive defeats by the Czech Republic, Kosovo and England leaving them at the foot of the table on goal difference and without a win in their last eight outings.

Head-to-head

The Republic faced Bulgaria in 2010 qualifiers (Chris Radburn/PA)

Ireland and Bulgaria have met on nine occasions since the the 1978 World Cup campaign, and the Bulgarians currently lead 3-2 in terms of victories with both sides winning at home and losing away in European qualifiers for the 1980 and 1988 finals. The last three encounters, a 2004 friendly in Dublin and home and away World Cup qualifiers in 2009, have ended in 1-1 draws.

amp_article__370859 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-09 09:43:41:
html db last update - 2019-09-09 09:43:41 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .