WORLD SERVICE
BULGARIA
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
The influence and experience of
veteran attacking midfielder Ivelin
Popov. After 13 years in the international
saddle he is still bright, active and able.2
New coach Georgi Dermendzhiev- who took over when legendary
ex-playmaker Krasimir Balakov quit
back in October – may not have the
Hollywood name of his predecessor
but may be just what they need: a
competent, safe pair of hands. The
64-year-old steered Ludogorets to
three straight Bulgarian league title
wins and the group stage of the
2014-15 Champions League.
3
The aerial threat from set-pieces
of central defender Vasil Bozhikov.
He is captain of Slovakian side Slovan
Bratislava and is one of Bulgaria’s
emotional leaders.Three Fear Factors1
Their disastrous record in the
qualifying group, only recording one
win in eight encounters. Home form is
another major concern. Since the start
of 2019 they have prevailed in just one
match when playing on their own patch:
a 1-0 victory over Czech Republic in
November in their final qualifier.2
They have few good striking options.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s Dimitar Iliev, who
was recently voted the country’s player of
the year, could hold the antidote but he
only earned his first cap in February and
at 31 he has it all to prove.3
They have major defensive frailties,
among them a tendency to ball
watch and dive in impulsively for tackles.
They can be carved open far too easily.Bulgaria v Hungary
HUNGARY
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
RB Leipzig’s Peter Gulacsi is one of
the most accomplished goalkeepers
in the German Bundesliga. A wonderful
shot-stopper, he is so hard to beat in
one-on-one situations.2
The Magyars have an uncanny knack
for raising the game when the stakes
are high, as demonstrated in victories
against Croatia and Wales in qualification.3
They have the most valuable of
motivational tools: should they make
the finals they could be in line to play
their two opening group games at home
in Budapest.Three Fear Factors1
They will be without influential
centre-back and captain Willi
Orban who underwent a knee operation
in October and will not be available
before April.2
They can be extremely vulnerable
to a swift counter-attack. Sometimes
there is an all-or-nothing aspect to their
forward play with insufficient attention
paid to keeping the back door shut.3
First-choice striker Adam Szalai is
having a dreadful season in Germany
with Mainz and is no longer an automatic
starter in the Bundesliga.
Accomplished...Peter Gulacsi has been in great form this seasonHopeful... Bulgaria’s
Galin Ivanov (no18)
takes on Norway in
the Nations League