Team analysis
Bulgaria
| No. | Player | Born | Pos. | GER | UKR | SRB | GS | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kristiyan Katsarev | 07/08/1995 | Goalkeeper | PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (BUL) | ||||
| 2 | Vasil Popov | 19/11/1995 | Defender | PFC CSKA Sofia (BUL) | ||||
| 3 | Reyan Daskalov | 10/02/1995 | Midfield | 5+ | 45* | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | ||
| 4 | Preslav Petrov | 01/05/1995 | Defender | 45* | 90 | PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) | ||
| 5 | Plamen Galabov | 02/11/1995 | Defender | 90 | 90 | 90 | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | |
| 6 | Hristofor Hubchev | 24/11/1995 | Midfield | 45* | 90 | PFC Montana 1921 (BUL) | ||
| 7 | Kiril Despodov | 11/11/1996 | Forward | 90 | 45* | 79* | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | |
| 8 | Nikola Kolev | 06/06/1995 | Midfield | 90 | 85* | 90 | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | |
| 9 | Georgi Minchev | 20/04/1995 | Forward | 45+ | 45+ | 90 | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | |
| 10 | Stanislav Dryanov | 04/02/1995 | Forward | 90 | 90 | PFC Botev Plovdiv (BUL) | ||
| 11 | Antonio Vutov | 06/06/1996 | Midfield | 90 | 90 | 45+ | Udinese Calcio (ITA) | |
| 12 | Aleksandar Lyubenov | 11/02/1995 | Goalkeeper | 90 | 90 | 90 | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | |
| 13 | Dimitar Velkovski | 22/01/1995 | Midfield | 12+ | 11+ | PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (BUL) | ||
| 14 | Miki Orachev | 19/03/1996 | Midfield | 45+ | 90 | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | ||
| 16 | Petar Vitanov | 10/03/1995 | Midfield | 90 | 90 | PFC CSKA Sofia (BUL) | ||
| 19 | Aleksandar Vasilev | 27/04/1995 | Forward | 90 | 90 | 90 | PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) | |
| 20 | Stefan Velkov | 12/12/1996 | Defender | 90 | 90 | PFC Slavia Sofia (BUL) | ||
| 21 | Radoslav Tsonev | 29/04/1995 | Midfield | 78* | 90 | 90 | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) |
©Sportsfile
Aleksandar Dimitrov
12/09/1976
"Our players started with huge tension because they hadn’t been at a European championship before. But I was happy with how we played – apart from all the chances we missed. I ended up sick and tired of doing well but coming away empty-handed. We learned some important lessons – that the better team doesn’t always win, that playing with a big heart isn’t enough, and that without scoring goals you cannot win. We had problems in attack, especially with our finishing."
Bulgaria team analysis
• Variations on 4-3-3 (4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1) with single or twin midfield screen
• Constructive build-ups based on short passing combinations
• Excellent off-ball movement – options for player in possession
• Attacks through midfield using solo skills and crisp combinations
• Compact, disciplined defensive block; pressing as from halfway line
• Positional rotation in attack; full-backs ready to overlap and support
• Comfortable in possession; good team spirit, determination, mental strength