The new head coach of our national football team, Ilian Iliev, took Angel Lyaskov from Neurokopka out of the freezer for his debut matches at the head of the tricolors in the European qualifiers against Hungary on November 16 at home and away to Serbia three days later. The full-back of “Lokomotiv” /Pd/ was not in the representative set of the homeland since May 2020. At the age of 32, the central defender of “Cherno More” Zhivko Atanasov awaited his first call-up to the national team, although at his presentation 24 h … earlier, the coach of Bulgaria assured that none of the football players in his club team will use protections. Alexander Kolev from “Krumovgrad” is the other surprise in the extended group of 27 players. Anton Nedyalkov, who has been recovering from an injury for a long time, and Filip Krastev, who was neglected by Mladen Krastaic after the transfer to Los Angeles, return to the team. The inclusion of Svetoslav Kovachev in the list also attracts attention. Iliev does not raise the confidence of the usual suspects from Pirinsko – the self-proclaimed Kiril Despodov, the eagle from the village of Klyuch Spas Delev and the guard from Gotse Delchev Daniel Naumov. The firm starter during the tenure of the previous coach Marin Petkov, as well as two other favorites of the Serbian, Ioan Stoyanov and Lukas Petkov, have been crossed out, but Ilian Iliev Jr. has been called up. However, the news came for the son of the Greece manager that the injury he sustained last weekend in his Kifissia’s match against Volos in the local Super League is more serious than expected and his treatment requires more than the predicted between 7 and 10 days . The midfielder has a sprained shoulder ligament and that part of his arm is immobilized. Initially, it was thought that he would only miss tomorrow’s meeting with AEK, but he is also set to be out of action for the clash with Panathinaikos on November 12.
“Iliev is not counting him for the next two matches. Possibly, before the match with the leader next week, we will see how he feels, but if he has not trained, it is very difficult to give him a starting place”, explained the senior of “Kifisia” Anastasiou.
The leader of Hungary, Marko Rossi, showed respect to the Bulgarians. The Hungarians need a point to guarantee their qualification for Euro 2024. “Although the hosts are not a top team, they should not be underestimated. In Sofia, we have to be reasonable, because in Lithuania we found out first hand what happens when we are not fully concentrated. Until we get the point we need, we cannot be calm,” warned the Italian specialist.
TONY KIRILOV
