Italy are happy to look long in the final couple of minutes, with Zaza and Eder primed to chase lost causes. The latter makes a good interceptions high upfield, but A. Aleksandrov recovers well to make up for his error and dispossess the substitute.
90' +2
Good save from Buffon! Milanov manages to wriggle through the heart of the Italy defence, before unleashing a powerful shot at goal! The veteran goalkeeper does well to beat the ball around his post for a corner! Heart in mouth moment for the hosts!
90'
Eder drops a shoulder and cuts in from the left, but the substitute sees an eventual shot charged down by a ruck of defenders. Not long is left for Italy to see out, with the fourth official signalling that there will be four minutes of stoppage time.
88'
Italy win a free kick high on the left-hand side, but Florenzi's powerful delivery flashes wide! Bonucci and Mitrev both challenge for the ball, but the final touch is a poor header from the former that deflects behind for a goal kick!
86'
Éder enters the game and replaces A. Candreva.
Dyakov gives away a foul on the edge of the Italy penalty area and receives a booking for his trouble. The Bulgaria captain is incensed, with his teammates needing to tell him to shut his mouth or risk a second yellow. Candreva is replaced for the hosts, with Eder introduced, but the home fans can only whistle.
85'
S. Dyakov gets yellow.
84'
Zaza forces a save from Mitrev, but the linesman's flag was already raised for offside. It proves to only be brief respite for the hosts, with Bulgaria immediately looking to get forward and probe for frailties in the Azzurri system. Italy are sitting back like a coiled spring, ready to race upfield. Bonucci tries to do just that, gallopping forward and combining with Florenzi, with the return pass from the Roma man not up to standard.
82'
Conte's men are on the defensive, with plenty of blue shirts back behind the ball. Their coach is definitely not too happy. Eder will be the final change for the home side, with the Sampdoria man needing to inspire an immediate improvement from his peers.
80'
D. Rangelov gets yellow.
Rangelov picks up a yellow card for an obvious shove on Florenzi, which halts an Azzurri break. As we head into the final 10 minutes of this qualifying clash, the bright performance of Italy in the first half has been long forgotten. Bulgaria will feel that they can steal a share of the spoils here tonight.
78'
The home fans are very nervy at the moment, with Italy sat back and hoping to see this one out. The away side are seeing all of the ball, with M. Aleksandrov picked out on the left-hand side! The substitute scampers past one challenge, but a poor touch allows for Buffon to gather up the scraps.
Minute
Description
76'
Bulgaria manage to break away through Rangelov, but the substitute is halted by a tackle from Bonucci. The visiting forward is absolutely furious and asks why he wasn't awarded a free kick there! Petev's men continue to enjoy a late-game flurry of pressure. Bandalovski whips in a back-post cross, but Darmian heads clear.
74'
Narrowly over a quarter of an hour is left on the clock in Palermo, with Bulgaria suddenly on the front foot. Conte is going spare on the sidelines, with the former Juve coach expecting much more from his players. Candreva tries to whip a cross into Zaza, but A. Aleksandrov intercepts importantly.
73'
A. Florenzi enters the game and replaces S. El Shaarawy.
72'
Pelle is withdrawn after an accomplished performance, with Zaza introduced. Florenzi is already being given his final instructions on the sideline, with Conte clearly trying to freshen things up in an attempt to see out another narrow qualifying win.
71'
S. Zaza enters the game and replaces G. Pellè.
D. Rangelov enters the game and replaces I. Popov.
70'
Popov tries a lovely backheel to try and find an overlapping run on the left flank, but Darmian intercepts. The away side are suddenly pushing forward and look high on confidence - much to the disgust of the home fans. Bandalovski whips a cross in from the right, but Popov sees a shot blocked easily by Bonucci.
68'
Bulgaria work the ball out to the right-hand side, with Bandalovski managing to win a throw in high upfield. The absence of De Rossi is leaving a little bit more space for the away side to play in. Darmian does well to deny a switch of play from the opposition, nipping in ahead of Milanov to cut an attack short.
67'
M. Aleksandrov enters the game and replaces T. Nedelev.
66'
El Shaarawy unleashes a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but Mitrev does well to leap to his left-hand side and smother the Italian's shot! Neat handling from the Bulgaria goalkeeper, too. Despite the dismissals, it is still Italy who are having the lion's share of chances.
64'
I. Bandalovski enters the game and replaces Y. Minev.
Wide from El Shaarawy! The former Milan man is teed up by Verratti, before curling a terrible effort well wide of the far post. Conte is disgusted by that. Y. Minev is withdrawn from the fray after picking up a yellow card, with Bandalovski replacing him.
63'
Great save from Mitrev! The goalkeeper is quick off his line and makes himself big to deny El Shaarawy! The Monaco forward was fed into the penalty area nicely, but the Bulgaria shot-stopper was on hand again to keep his nation in with a chance of snatching a point.
61'
De Sciglio and Pelle are unable to test the goalkeeper after combining well, with the latter missing a vital touch to set himself. Bulgaria then build out from the back, but their attack is lacking any kind of focal point following Mitsanski's dismissal. Nedelev drifts in from the right, before lifting a curling effort just over the crossbar!
59'
Mitrev parries away a long-range shot from a free kick, with this game losing its tempo and intensity somewhat. Mitsanski had been Bulgaria's only real threat going forward, while De Rossi was fundamental to the Azzurri composedly playing their way out from the back.
58'
Y. Minev gets yellow.
57'
Well, that boiled over! Two red cards leave us with a 10 versus 10 clash for the final half an hour, despite no bookings previously being dished out by the referee. Conte won't be pleased with his midfielder, who just had to keep his cool there. Moments later, Y. Minev picks up a yellow for a foul on De Sciglio.
56'
I. Mitsanski goes off after a red card!
55'
D. De Rossi goes off after a red card!
RED CARD FOR DE ROSSI! RED CARD FOR MITSANSKI! The Roma midfielder kicks out at the other guilty party, after a niggling foul and possibly a stamp from the Bulgaria striker. Suddenly, things become a lot more complicated, despite both teams losing a man.
53'
The resulting free-kick effort from Candreva strikes the wall, with the rebound stabbed into Mitrev by De Sciglio. Bulgaria's defensive midfield two continue to make niggling fouls in the centre of the field, but the referee has restrained himself from using his book thus far.
51'
Pelle flicks a pass into the path of Parolo, with Italy continuing to threaten down the left. The Southampton striker is then on hand to find El Shaarawy with a neat touch, but the latter is brought down by a foul by Chochev. Everything is coming through the ex-Feyenoord forward, who is causing plenty of problems for the visitors.
49'
Candreva finds De Sciglio overlapping down the right-hand side, but an eventual cross is easily cushioned back to Mitrev. Italy have started the second period positively, moving the ball around at a good pace. Bulgaria are yet to find a foothold.
47'
Good stop from Mitrev! De Rossi opens up the play to El Shaarawy, who finds Parolo on the edge of the box. The midfielder sends a looping effort towards the back post, but the Bulgarian shot-stopper punches behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is cleared by the first man.
46'
We are back underway in the second half! Italy have their noses in front and have looked the better side, but the scoreboard only reads 1-0. Petev's side does appear to have enough about them to cause an upset, something that the Azzurri will be keen to avoid after a poor showing against Malta.
45' +1
Mitrev punches away the resulting corner, with play briefly stopped due to A. Aleksandrov taking a blow to the head from his own goalkeeper. The Ludogorets man looks to be a little bit dazed, with the physios immediately rushing on.
45'
De Sciglio marauds his way down the right, before the ball is worked back across the face of the box. Pelle tees up Parolo, with the midfielder only able to rifle a low shot wide of the near post with the aid of a deflection! Conte is going berserk on the sidelines.
43'
Good crosses continue to be whipped into the visiting penalty area, but nobody is on hand to make it 2-0 to Italy. Given that Bulgaria continue to show they can be dangerous on the break, Conte will be extremely keen for his side to install a two-goal cushion as soon as possible.
41'
Pelle tries to flick another ball around the corner, this time for El Shaarawy to chase, but it is too heavy and Mitrev collects. Bulgaria counter, with a cross angled in towards the back post, but it is half cleared. The rebound falls to Nedelev, who can only lift a woeful effort high and wide of the target!
39'
Another save from Mitrev! The Bulgarian goalkeeper has to get down comfortably to his left to deny another shot from Candreva, following even more good work down the left side from the Azzurri. The second goal is proving elusive for the home team.
38'
Over the top from Candreva! El Shaarawy and Verratti combine well down the left-hand side, before the latter lifts a cross towards the back post. The Lazio winger watches the ball onto his laces, but can only pump a volley above the crossbar! Conte throws his hands up in despair.
37'
Milanov shoots well wide of the near post, after a marauding run down the left-hand channel. It looked to be something of a cross-cum-shot, but plenty of the visiting personnel immediately ask the CSKA Moscow man why he opted to shoot given the tight angle!
36'
Pelle flicks a brilliant ball around the corner for Candreva to chase! The Lazio man whips a cross to the back post, but Y. Minev is there to head clear! Italy maintain their pressure, with the same man delivering another ball into the box, but Pelle can only guide an acrobatic shot over the bar!
34'
De Rossi heads over at the back post, after El Shaarawy collects a short corner from the left once again, with both players key in Italy's solid start to proceedings in Palermo. Conte's men have been calm and composed in possession, with Bonucci in particular showcasing what an accomplished defender he is with the ball at his feet.
32'
Popov shoots from a 25-yard free kick opportunity, but the Bulgaria number 10 can only send a terrible drive swerving away from the near post! Buffon is happy to watch it wide, with the away side needing to make the most of chances like that if they are to claw their way back into the game. Italy try to break down the other end immediately, but a Candreva cross can only force a low save from Mitrev, following a half volley attempt from De Sciglio!
30'
Pelle is released in behind the Bulgaria back four, but the target man is caught quite blatantly offside. All of the positive play is coming from the hosts, with Petev's side struggling to piece anything together offensively. That said, Mitrev hasn't been a very busy goalkeeper either.
28'
Once again, El Shaarawy is the man leading the charge. The former Milan attack dances beyond a couple of defenders, before a heavy touch puts him in trouble. Conte has been urging the 22-year-old to get forward whenever he can, ushering him down the line furiously.
26'
El Shaarawy wins a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, after skipping around his man neatly. Italy are able to load the box with bodies again, to attack Verratti's dead-ball delivery. It is flashed across the face of goal, but Pelle can only flick his header over the crossbar!
24'
Pelle is fouled by Bodurov, after a neat turn, with the Southampton forward not being afforded the opportunity to turn and face goal thus far. Moments later, Chochev is penalised for cynically tugging his opponent's shirt. The second foul gives Verratti the chance to whip in a delivery, but Chiellini can't get there! Bodurov is the man in the way.
22'
Verratti finds El Shaarawy on the left-hand side, before Italy work the ball back to De Rossi. The goalscorer sets a lofted pass over the Bulgarian back four in search of the Monaco man once again, but A. Aleksandrov covers across neatly to head clear. Neat play from the Azzurri.
20'
Italy are still seeing more of the ball, but a couple of breakaways from the visitors have shown that this contest is not finished yet. Mitsanski has been fairly bright on the ball, with Bulgaria picking their moments to get forward carefully.
18'
Great save from Buffon! After having nothing to do, suddenly a much-needed stop. Mitsanski drives through the heart of the Italian defence, before unleashing a low strike that the Juve goalkeeper has to parry around the post for a corner! The resulting set piece is easily cleared by El Shaarawy.
17'
Pelle tries to hold the ball up on the edge of the penalty area, but the former Feyenoord man is dispossessed with ease by A. Aleksandrov. Italy are winning possession back quickly when they lose it, which is an encouraging sign. Candreva cuts in from the right, before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort, but it hurtles into the stands.
15'
There is a break in play, with Candreva going down injured on the right flank. Bodurov looked to catch the Lazio man with an accidental kick to his calf, but the Italy international should be okay to continue. After his bright first quarter of an hour, Conte wouldn't have wanted the man who won the penalty to leave the fray prematurely.
13'
Wide from El Shaarawy! The wide man cuts in from the left-hand side, before lashing a poor strike across the face of goal and a few yards wide of the back post! All of the chances have fallen to the Azzurri thus far, with Pelle leading the line unselfishly. The visitors haven't spent much time at all in the opposition half.
12'
Very neat stuff from Italy at the moment, with the hosts able to play their way out of some high Bulgaria pressing. The crowd sound their appreciation, with this shaping up to be a huge improvement on their performance against Malta. Bonucci makes a good clearance to deny Mitsanski, which sets Candreva away down the right. Darmian is eventually able to whip in a cross as a result, but El Shaarawy can't bring it under control at the back post.
10'
On his 150th appearance for Italy, Buffon is yet to have anything to do. The Juventus goalkeeper will be keen to rack up another clean sheet for his national team tonight, but has only had to play the role of spectator thus far. Candreva is looking very bright in the opening minutes, giving Y. Minev plenty to think about.
8'
A dream start for Italy! The Azzurri are ahead early on, with Bulgaria now having no option but to attack if they are to get any spoils from this contest. Conte's celebrations after De Rossi's opener show exactly what qualification means for the hosts. They're not about to step off the gas yet, however.
6'
Penalty goal scored by D. De Rossi for Italy!
GOOOOOOOOOAL! THIS TIME IT COUNTS! The Roma midfielder powers a low finish into the bottom right corner, just beyond the despairing dive of Mitrev! There were inevitably some mind games involved there, but the Italy man held his own and dispatched what could be a vital goal!
5'
DE ROSSI MAKES IT 1-0! Coolness personified, but it's ruled out! The combative midfielder waited for Mitrev to commit himself, before slotting a tidy finish to the right-hand side of the goal. After celebrating, the referee pulls it back and tells him to take it again!
4'
PENALTY FOR ITALY! Moments after a great run down the right-hand side, Candreva is involved again! The Lazio winger is clipped by a defender, giving the Azzurri a great chance to open the scoring.
3'
Italy enjoy the early pressure and possession, with Bulgaria happy to sit back and absorb it. De Rossi throws himself into a terrible tackle on Popov, with the Roma midfielder given a warning by the referee. He dived in with two feet, but the referee chooses not to dip into his book.
2'
Huge chance for Italy! El Shaarawy is immediately involved! A shot from Candreva on the right-hand side is dragged towards the back post, with Pelle only able to force an easy save from Mitrev! The rebound is pounced upon by El Shaarawy, but the Monaco forward lifts a close-range over-head kick just above the crossbar!
1'
We are underway in the first half in Palermo! Italy are in their customary blue, while Bulgaria play in a predominantly white strip. If the national anthem is anything to go by, the Azzurri are motivated for this contest!
Hello and welcome to live action from where Palermo play their home fixtures, as Italy face up against Bulgaria in the 2016 European Championship qualifiers. A disappointing recent 1-0 victory over Malta has fuelled the negative fire, with plenty of critics having their say on both Antonio Conte and the Azzurri. As it stands, the hosts are in third place in Group H, but a win tonight would see them regain top spot. Their opponents suffered a 1-0 defeat against Norway last time out.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with everything from Stadio Renzo Barbera, as Italy look to make up for their poor showing against minnows Malta. Graziano Pelle netted the solitary goal to secure three points last time out, but replays suggested that the Southampton striker may have been fortunate for it to have stood. Conte has rung a few changes as a result, with the home fans hoping to see a much-improved performance this evening.
TEAM NEWS: Andrea Bertolacci misses out to due to injury for the hosts, with Andrea Pirlo dropped due to poor international form. Daniele De Rossi and Marco Parolo come into the midfield as a result, with former Milan forward El Shaarawy coming into the attack despite not featuring in the matchday squad against Malta. Pelle retains his place up top, with Antonio Candreva featuring from the off after impressing as a substitute last game.
TEAM NEWS: Veselin Minev comes in at right-back for the away side, in what is an otherwise unchanged back four from the one that faced Norway. Stanislav Manolev also drops out of the starting line-up, with Todor Nedelev replacing him out wide. Ivelin Popov and Iliyan Mitsanski hold their places as Bulgaria's main offensive threats down the middle.
Italy starting line-up (4-3-3): Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio; Parolo, De Rossi, Verratti; Candreva, Pelle, El Shaarawy.
Both teams are out on the field, with only the national anthems to go! We're very close to the action now, as Conte's men attempt to take top spot back from Norway tonight.
HALF TIME! Italy head into their dressing room with a narrow 1-0 lead, given to them by an early penalty from De Rossi. Conte's men have created the bulk of the opportunities in Palermo, though Bulgaria have threatened sporadically on the break. The hosts need a second goal quickly, otherwise this contest has the potential to become complicated.
FULL TIME! Italy have done it, but it wasn't as convincing of a result as it could have been! The jury will still be out for Conte, despite a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria that has put the Azzurri back on top of the Group H pile. De Rossi gave the hosts the lead, before getting sent off alongside Mitsanski in the second half. After a good first half, Italy stuttered to the finish line. That's all that we have time for, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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