The Roma midfielder held his nerve to convert an
early penalty for the hosts but was then sent off
for clashing with Iliyan Mitsanski, who also saw
red
Italy went top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group H as
Daniele De Rossi's penalty gave Antonio Conte's
side a 1-0 win over Bulgaria in a game that saw
both sides finish with 10 men.
The Euro 2012 finalists knew victory in Palermo
would take them to the summit of the group
following Norway's 2-0 victory against Croatia
earlier on Sunday.
And Italy duly dominated from the start, needing
just six minutes to open the scoring through De
Rossi's twice-taken penalty.
Only the efforts of Bulgaria goalkeeper Bozhidar
Mitrev prevented Italy from adding to their lead,
but Conte will be without goalscorer De Rossi for
their next qualifier in Azerbaijan after his second-
half dismissal.
De Rossi and Bulgaria forward Ilian Mitsanski were
each shown red cards for their respective roles in
a confrontation 10 minutes into the second half.
Despite that incident and an improved second-half
showing from Bulgaria, Italy stood firm to go two
points clear at the top. By contrast, Ivaylo Petev's
men have no chance of qualifying.
Italy went close to taking the lead in the first
minute as Graziano Pelle was denied at the far
post by a fine save by Bozhidar Mitrev, with
Stephan El Shaarawy turning the rebound
acrobatically over the crossbar.
But they were gifted the opening goal three
minutes later when Antonio Candreva was clipped
in the area by Veselin Minev. De Rossi coolly
slotted away the subsequent spot-kick, only for
referee Sergey Karasev to instruct the midfielder
to take it again after players encroached into the
area.
The drama did not faze the Roma stalwart,
however, as De Rossi went the same way to beat
the valiant dive of Mitrev.
Conte's men were almost caught cold in the 18th
minute when Mitsanski burst through the heart of
the Italy defence, only for his low effort to be
turned round the left-hand post by Gianluigi
Buffon.
The impressive Pelle headed over from a Marco
Verratti free-kick and the Southampton striker was
heavily involved again when Mitrev prevented
Bulgaria from falling further behind by keeping out
Mattia De Sciglio's half-volley.
Marco Parolo went close with deflected efforts
either side of half-time, before De Rossi and
Mitsanski were given their marching orders.
De Rossi appeared to kick out at Mitsanski for an
innocuous but cynical foul and Karasev had no
hesitation in brandishing the red card, which he
then showed to Mitsanski, who had flung himself
to the floor following the Italy man's reaction.
Todor Nedelev then curled narrowly over for
Bulgaria and Mitrev produced a fine save to deny
El Shaarawy as the two teams took advantage of
the extra space on the Stadio Renzo Barbera pitch.
Bulgaria pressed more in the closing stages, but
could not find a way through a stout Italy defence,
the hosts holding on to take another step towards
a place at the finals in France.
early penalty for the hosts but was then sent off
for clashing with Iliyan Mitsanski, who also saw
red
Italy went top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group H as
Daniele De Rossi's penalty gave Antonio Conte's
side a 1-0 win over Bulgaria in a game that saw
both sides finish with 10 men.
The Euro 2012 finalists knew victory in Palermo
would take them to the summit of the group
following Norway's 2-0 victory against Croatia
earlier on Sunday.
And Italy duly dominated from the start, needing
just six minutes to open the scoring through De
Rossi's twice-taken penalty.
Only the efforts of Bulgaria goalkeeper Bozhidar
Mitrev prevented Italy from adding to their lead,
but Conte will be without goalscorer De Rossi for
their next qualifier in Azerbaijan after his second-
half dismissal.
De Rossi and Bulgaria forward Ilian Mitsanski were
each shown red cards for their respective roles in
a confrontation 10 minutes into the second half.
Despite that incident and an improved second-half
showing from Bulgaria, Italy stood firm to go two
points clear at the top. By contrast, Ivaylo Petev's
men have no chance of qualifying.
Italy went close to taking the lead in the first
minute as Graziano Pelle was denied at the far
post by a fine save by Bozhidar Mitrev, with
Stephan El Shaarawy turning the rebound
acrobatically over the crossbar.
But they were gifted the opening goal three
minutes later when Antonio Candreva was clipped
in the area by Veselin Minev. De Rossi coolly
slotted away the subsequent spot-kick, only for
referee Sergey Karasev to instruct the midfielder
to take it again after players encroached into the
area.
The drama did not faze the Roma stalwart,
however, as De Rossi went the same way to beat
the valiant dive of Mitrev.
Conte's men were almost caught cold in the 18th
minute when Mitsanski burst through the heart of
the Italy defence, only for his low effort to be
turned round the left-hand post by Gianluigi
Buffon.
The impressive Pelle headed over from a Marco
Verratti free-kick and the Southampton striker was
heavily involved again when Mitrev prevented
Bulgaria from falling further behind by keeping out
Mattia De Sciglio's half-volley.
Marco Parolo went close with deflected efforts
either side of half-time, before De Rossi and
Mitsanski were given their marching orders.
De Rossi appeared to kick out at Mitsanski for an
innocuous but cynical foul and Karasev had no
hesitation in brandishing the red card, which he
then showed to Mitsanski, who had flung himself
to the floor following the Italy man's reaction.
Todor Nedelev then curled narrowly over for
Bulgaria and Mitrev produced a fine save to deny
El Shaarawy as the two teams took advantage of
the extra space on the Stadio Renzo Barbera pitch.
Bulgaria pressed more in the closing stages, but
could not find a way through a stout Italy defence,
the hosts holding on to take another step towards
a place at the finals in France.
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