Bulgaria players Valeri Bojinov and Nikolay Mihaylov trust they can beat Italy in tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier.
It kicks off in Sofia at 19.45 GMT.
“I learned a lot from Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, who are two great men as well as great players, but I want them to be disappointed this time,” said ex-Juventus, Fiorentina and Lecce striker Bojinov.
The forward is back playing in Italy, albeit in Serie B with Ternana.
Bulgaria players Valeri Bojinov and Nikolay Mihaylov trust they can beat Italy in tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier.
It kicks off in Sofia at 19.45 GMT.
“I learned a lot from Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, who are two great men as well as great players, but I want them to be disappointed this time,” said ex-Juventus, Fiorentina and Lecce striker Bojinov.
The forward is back playing in Italy, albeit in Serie B with Ternana.
“My teammates all know what they must do and what it takes to cause Italy trouble. We’ve made too many mistakes in attack recently, so it would be great to score at the first shot.
“Our objective is to fight back in the group until we can grab third place, as that could get us into the play-offs.”
Goalkeeper Mihaylov is also familiar with Italian football, having played for Hellas Verona.
“We can do it. We respect Italy’s campaign, but we have what it takes to beat them. Buffon is an idol for me, as once Hristo Stoichkov brought me the jersey he wore in the Euros. I keep it in my bedroom.
“I’ve played against Gigi on other occasions. There are other great goalkeepers today, but he is a legend.”
Probable line-ups
Bulgaria: Lstoyanov; Bandalovski, Terziev, Bodurov, Y Minev; Diakov, Gadzhev; Manolev, Popov, Tonev; Bojinov
Bulgaria bench: Mitrev, Mihaylov, Stoychev, Mihail, Slavchev, Malinov, Chochev, Vasilev, G Milanov, Micanski, Vasilev, Aleksandrov
Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Darmian, Candreva, Verratti, Bertolacci, Antonelli; Zaza, Immobile
Italy bench: Sirigu, Marchetti, Ranocchia, Moretti, Valdifiori, Parolo, Cerci, Soriano, Gabbiadini, Pellè, Vazquez, Eder