Under-15: Rampant Bulgaria, San Marino match them in the second half

An uphill battle right from the start for Matteo Magnani’s Biancazzurrini, who pay for Bulgaria’s physical strength – the hosts breaking the deadlock in a scramble from a corner after just five minutes. Dobrev’s day of grace is confirmed shortly after the quarter-hour mark, when the forward finishes off a fine team move to make it 2-0 and complete his brace. Riding the wave of enthusiasm and proving hard to contain, the Biancorossoverdi strike twice more around the half-hour through Durolari and Vasil Ivanov – the latter also turning in a standout performance, particularly in front of goal. He would go on to register a hat-trick, adding two further goals before the break to send Bulgaria in at half-time with a commanding 6-0 lead. ©FSGC | the Under-15 National Team at the Archaeological Park of Paphos After the restart Magnani rings the changes, reshaping his side by replacing half of the outfield players. A much more balanced second half revolves around two closely spaced set-pieces: a free-kick on the edge of the area, won and taken by Bucchi, shaves the woodwork of Panayotov’s goal. Three minutes later Bulgaria prove more clinical from the same situation, with Dobrev getting on the scoresheet for the third time. The opposition display is far less overwhelming after the interval, also thanks to the Biancazzurrini – increasingly effective in closing passing lanes once they had adjusted to their talented opponents. This creates the platform for promising counter-attacks and chances to score: on 65 minutes Cervellini’s free-kick sails just over, and a minute later Bucchi comes close to a wonder goal. Having won the ball high up the pitch, he beats two men in succession before unleashing a powerful strike that forces Panayotov into a stunning save. In San Marino’s best spell of the game, when they would have deserved a consolation goal, it is instead Bulgaria who again alter the scoreline, finishing off a lethal counter-attack that gives Popov his moment of joy. Before the final whistle Battazza threatens with an attacking foray that ends in a dangerous header in the 89th minute. For the Biancazzurrini, their final fixture of the Development Tournament comes tomorrow, Monday 4 December, against Armenia. Yesterday, the day after the match with Bulgaria, the San Marino Under-15 National Team held a recovery session in the morning before heading out for a visit to the Archaeological Park of Paphos, on the south-western side of Cypriot territory. It was an opportunity to relax and find the right calm and focus to prepare as best as possible for tomorrow’s game, before heading home from their international debut with further valuable experiences to recount, also gathered away from the pitch.  

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UEFA Under-15 Development Tournament 2023, DAY 2 | Bulgaria – San Marino 8-0   BULGARIA Panayotov, K. Marinov (46' Kanev), Vi. Ivanov (46' Yordanov), Tudorov (73' Bayrakov), Durolari (73' Georgiev), Va. Ivanov (68' D. Marinov), Miletiev (46' Popov), Dovreb, Markov, Andreev, Nestorov Substitutes: Ganchev, Lazarov, Vutov Head coach: Vladislav Vutov   SAN MARINO Frisoni (80' Bucci), Battazza, Terni (46' Berardi), Cika (46' Maiani), Gritti (46' Raschi), Ciacci (58' Cervellini), Bucchi, Muccioli (82' Zavoli), Losco (46' Pala), Partisani (46' Guidi), Valentini Substitute: Stefani Head coach: Matteo Magnani   Referee: Polyvios Antoniou (CYP) Assistant referees: Leonidas Solomontos (CYP) and Zaxarias Karapashis (CYP) Fourth official: Nikolas Markou (CYP) Scorers: 5', 17', 58' Dobrev, 30' Durolari, 32', 40', 44' Va. Ivanov, 83' Popov Booked: Dobrev, Vutov

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