It’s win or bust, admits Stoilov

BULGARIA coach Stanimir Stoilov makes no bones about the fact that, as far as World Cup qualification is concerned, his team is drinking in the last chance saloon in Sofia tonight.

“The situation is that every game is now a cup final for us,” he says. “We have to win this game. Of course, Ireland will try to do the same thing so it will be a very difficult game for both sides.”

Perhaps indulging in some mind games — or else all too acutely aware that the pressure is disproportionately on the home side — Stoilov maintains that this is going to be tougher test than the game in Dublin back in March when, even without some of their biggest names, Bulgaria claimed a point.

“We played a good game in Dublin — good spirit, very tactical, good discipline — but here in Sofia I think it will be more difficult for us,” he says. “We have to be more concentrated in the final third. I definitely think that it will be more difficult for us, never mind that (Dimitar) Berbatov, (Martin) Petrov and (Valeri) Bojinov are back.”

And maybe there is also some psychological bluffery going on when, citing Berbatov’s entirely unremarkable cameo in the Champions’ League final, Stoilov further suggests that the Manchester United striker goes into the game in top form.

“I cannot understand the critics, the backlash and the speculation regarding the player and his performance with Manchester United,” the coach protests. “He plays for a top club so his quality is beyond any doubt and he is perfectly aware of the fans’ expectations in Bulgaria and what he must do. The minutes he played during the final prove he is in top form and ready for any challenges.”

But the Bulgarian manager — who took over the hotseat from Plamen Markov after the team’s underwhelming start to Group 8 — is also at pains to stress the importance of the collective.

“The most important thing is how Bulgaria will play as a team,” he says. “We cannot expect Berbatov to decide every game. If we have some problems as a team, it’s not down to Berbatov to decide everything.”

Meanwhile, the local conspiracy theorists are already looking ahead and expressing concern that, because Giovanni Trapattoni is Italian, the Irish and the Azzurri might contrive a result in Croke Park next October which would be guaranteed to eliminate the Bulgars. However, dismissing such paranoia, Stoilov says he has “no fears” about a carve-up.