Italy salvaged a 2-2 draw against Buglaria at Sofia’s Vasil Levski National Stadium in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday night.
Yordan Minev’s fourth minute own-goal was soon cancelled out by Ivelin Popov’s long range strike before Iliyan Mitsanski gave the hosts the lead all within the opening twenty minutes. Eder spared the Azzurri’s blushes with a wonderful strike ten minutes from the end.
Italy, starting as favourites should have scored within the opening 20 seconds through Ciro Immobile, but they didn’t have to wait long.
Andrea Bertolacci whipped in a cross from the left and with goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov flapping, the ball struck the unfortunate Minev who turned it into his own net from close range.
Bulgaria drew level out of the blue as Popov stepped past Leonardo Bonucci to drill home a low effort past Salvatore Sirigu into the far corner after just eleven minutes.
The hosts completed a remarkable turnaround as Mitsanski stooped to head home Georgi Milanov’s cross with Bulgaria finding great success on the counter.
The Azzurri should have levelled after 20 minutes, but Immobile’s free header drifted wide of the fat post from Marco Verratti’s delivery.
After a frenetic opening, Antonio Conte’s side began to control possession with Bertolacci being the bright spot of the team, but they always looked susceptible on the counter.
Popov clipped the crossbar with his dipping free-kick and at the other end, Mihaylov did well to stop Antonio Candreva’s low effort.
Approaching the break the Azzurri had the hosts pinned back and continued to create opportunities but could not make their pressure count.
Immobile’s movement continued to cause the Bulgaria defence problems as he kept finding pockets of space, but both his distribution and finishing was wayward.
Due to the sodden conditions, Mihaylov looked increasingly uncertain dealing with high balls into the area but the Italians could not capitalise from their numerous corners.
Mihaylov could only parry a fierce Immobile strike into the path of Bertolacci, who with most of the goal at his mercy lashed wide.
Despite Conte’s tactical switches and substitutions, the Azzurri continuously struggled to break through an increasingly defensively minded Bulgaria side.
Just as things were beginning to look bleak for Italy, the breakthrough came in style from one of the players of the moment, Eder, who managed to silence his doubters.
The substitute expertly rolled past a defender on the edge of the area before he unleashed a beautiful curling shot past Mihaylov, who could only watch it fly inside of the far post.
The Azzurri pushed heavily for a third into injury time, however last-gasp defending from the Bulgarian defence ensured a share of the points.
