Team analysis
Bulgaria
| No. | Player | Born | Pos. | ENG | GER | NED | GS | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Naumov | 29/03/1998 | Goalkeeper | 90 | 90 | PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) | ||
| 2 | Andrea Hristov | 01/03/1999 | Defender | 90 | 17 | PFC Slavia Sofia (BUL) | ||
| 3 | Vasil Dobrev | 05/01/1998 | Defender | 76* | 69+ | 90 | FC Septemvri Sofia (BUL) | |
| 4 | Angel Lyaskov | 16/03/1998 | Defender | 90 | 90 | 90 | PFC CSKA Sofia (BUL) | |
| 5 | Petar Genchev | 29/03/1998 | Defender | 90 | 90 | 90 | FC Septemvri Sofia (BUL) | |
| 6 | Ivaylo Klimentov | 03/02/1998 | Midfield | 14+ | 45+ | PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) | ||
| 7 | Ivaylo Naydenov | 22/03/1998 | Forward | 90 | 70* | 45* | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | |
| 8 | Georgi Yanev | 04/01/1998 | Midfield | 36+ | 90 | 90 | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | |
| 9 | Tonislav Yordanov | 27/11/1998 | Forward | 54* | 90 | 33+ | PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) | |
| 10 | Georgi Rusev | 02/07/1998 | Forward | 90 | 90 | 1 | Elche CF (ESP) | |
| 11 | Svetoslav Kovachev | 14/03/1998 | Midfield | 54* | PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) | |||
| 12 | Dimitar Sheytanov | 15/03/1999 | Goalkeeper | 90 | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | |||
| 15 | Petko Hristov | 01/03/1999 | Defender | 90 | 90 | 90 | PFC Slavia Sofia (BUL) | |
| 16 | Kaloyan Krastev | 24/01/1999 | Forward | 90 | 82* | 90* | PFC Slavia Sofia (BUL) | |
| 18 | Mariyan Dimitrov | 28/09/1998 | Defender | 1+ | FC Septemvri Sofia (BUL) | |||
| 19 | Stanislav Ivanov | 16/04/1999 | Forward | 36+ | 8+ | 57* | PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) | |
| 20 | Mateo Stamatov | 22/03/1999 | Defender | 20+ | RCD Espanyol (ESP) | |||
| 22 | Ivan Tilev | 05/01/1999 | Midfield | 90 | 21* | 90 | FC Septemvri Sofia (BUL) |
Angel Stoykov (Bulgaria):
The fact that they are here in finals, among the top eight at this level, is evidence that they are the future of Bulgarian football, but there is still a lot of work to be done by everybody. It's definitely a success for us to be at the final, but we were expecting to do more. This is a team who have the most international experience since Under-15s. They were developed for the Under-17s that we hosted two years ago so they have a lot of experience – we have up to 15 members of this squad in that one.
Bulgaria team analysis
• 1-4-4-2 becoming 1-4-4-1-1 in defence, with good links between the lines.
• Constructive build-up play from the back through the midfield.
• Mid-range and short passing in own half with long ball used over defenders.
• Mostly attacking down the wings.
• Effective use of full-backs.
• Goalkeeper Daniel Naumov (1) with good technique with foot and active in build-up; good long balls.
• Two screening midfielders with different functions – more defensive Georgi Yanev (8) and more attacking Ivaylo Naydenov (7)
• Compact deep defence; midfield pressing.
• Frequent transitions from defence to attack, Tonislav Yordanov (9) and Kaloyan Krastev (16) two players who could create difficulties for opponents and could make the difference.
• Organised on set pieces in defence. Mentally strong with excellent team spirit.