Bulgaria captain Kiril Despodov believes that the team has its chances to turn the tide of the match against the Republic of Ireland. Last night, the "Lions" lost 1:2 at the "Hristo Botev" stadium, but the general opinion is that gross errors and loss of the initial rhythm are the reasons for this. Bulgaria, which comes from League C in the Nations League tournament, will try to displace the Irish from League B.
"We started the match very well. With the second or third attack we scored a goal, a very good start for us. Then we gave them the initiative and conceded two ridiculous goals. We weren't timid, they just took the initiative," Despodov began.
He then clarified that the team was not broken, despite the early injuries to right-back Viktor Popov and goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, who suffered a collision with Matt Doherty. "The first goal distracted us, the second one they played well. We didn't create many chances, yes. We had two or three chances and we wasted them, they closed us down well, I'm not saying that as an excuse. Tomorrow we have to recover from this match, the second leg is on Sunday, nothing is lost, the result is not irreparable, we will fight".
Asked how he felt with new partners in the attack like Marin Petkov and Lukas Petkov, who have not played together, he replied: "Yes, a new type of attack, we have not played in this type up front, we scored one goal, but since we did not win, it was not perfect", said Despodov.
The defender Anton Nedyalkov, who came in under duress, echoed Andrian Kraev's opinion that ridiculous mistakes in defense failed the Bulgarian national team in the home match against the Republic of Ireland.
"The Lions" lost 1:2 in the first playoff match for promotion to League B of the Nations League tournament, but they did not give up. The second leg is on Sunday at the "Aviva" stadium in Dublin, and Nedyalkov believes in the ultimate success.
"Well, as you saw, we lost because of our mistakes. Ridiculous mistakes, but these are young players. We continue to work, to learn, so that such elementary goals are not allowed. I hope that with time, with the experience of others, with the work of the coach, we will minimize these things. If we have a low percentage of mistakes, then we can hope for success," Nedyalkov began.
"In general, this is one of the reasons. I also haven't been in the national team for a long time. It was something new for me too. And Viktor Popov's injury happened out of the blue and I came in, I hadn't warmed up. But this is not an excuse. If we lost, then we are all to blame. We will have to work to improve things and have positive results".
"I think they are not better than us, maybe they are just more confident. We have to play with more self-confidence, be calmer. And I think we can come out as the ultimate winners in the whole match. The point is that we have to put in the effort, confidence and self-confidence. Playing at right-back is not my favorite position, but whatever the coach says, that's what I do", concluded the Ludogorets defender.
The midfielder of the Portuguese Casa Pia and the national team Andrian Kraev was disappointed after the defeat, but he believes that the result was due to the opponent's too basic goals.
"We conceded two easy goals. Our match started perfectly, we were in good shape, but suddenly these two goals. Then they closed in from behind, we did nothing to make it difficult for them. Two easy goals cost us the good result. They are fighters, we know their style, we responded to this fight, but we should have created more chances", began Kraev.
Then he repeated the words of captain Despodov and stated that Bulgaria has nothing to lose in Dublin.
"We need to have more self-confidence, we certainly need to create more chances, we definitely need a win there. We are playing people who we haven't played together much. You see Lucas up front, it was the first time he was like that in this position and in the national team. We need to get to know each other better", added the midfielder.