Bulgaria lost 1:0 against Italy in qualifying game in group H for the Euro 2016 finals, which was held at „Renzo Barbera“  stadium in Palermo.

Just before the start of the game the  goalkeeper of the hosts Gianluigi Buffon, for whom this was game number 150 with the „Azzuri“ shirt has received a gift and flowers from the Bulgarian Union vice-president Mikhail Kasabov to celebrate his great achievement.    

Italy has taken the lead in the 6-th minute after Daniele De Rossi  scored a composed penalty.  Veselin Minev failed to anticipate a challenge from Candreva as he attempted to clear inside the area, managing only to make contact with the Azzurri midfielder while aiming for the ball. De Rossi's initial spot kick was ruled out for encroachment, but he held his nerve with a crisply struck effort to the right of goal.

The italians should have been ahead in the first minute of the second half, when Graziano Pellè side-footed Antonio Candreva's cross straight at Bozhidar Mitrev, with Stephan El Shaarawy firing over an acrobatic close-range attempt from the rebound.

Antonio Conte's side continued to dominate, with a pair of chances falling to Candreva and Pellè, yet they still had goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to thank for a brilliant stop when De Rossi surrendered possession in the centre circle, enabling Mitsanski to surge to the edge of the box before unleashing a fierce goal-bound drive.

Mitrev produced a stunning save at the beginning of the second half to repel Marco Parolo's deflected attempt, before a fiery period of play started with De Rossi and Mitsanski being shown red cards for an altercation following a challenge. Instead of the game opening up, however, Italy kept the ball from their opponents and deservingly has won the three points.

Line ups and Statistics

Italy: Buffon, Darmian, Chiellini, Bonucci, De Scilio, De Rossi, Parolo, Veratti, Candreva (Eder 86), El Shaarawy (73-Florenzi), Pele (71-Zaza).

BULGARIA: Mitrev, V. Minev, Bodurov, Alexandrov, Y. Minev (64 - Bandalovski) Chochev, Dyakov, Nedelev (67- M. Alexandrov), G. Milanov Popov (70-Rangelov) Mitsanski.

Stadium: "Renzo Barbera" - 21 000 spectators.

Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)

Yellow cards: Y.Minev, Rangelov, Dyakov

Red cards: De Rossi; Mitsanski

Department "Public Relations and Media"