Bulgaria 0-2 Italy: 5 talking points as Azzurri eke out unconvincing win

#3 Bulgaria take the Catenaccio route

Valentin Antov for Bulgaria was instrumental in keeping Italy quiet for long.

Though Yasen Petrov is known for playing a 3-man defence, it seemed strange that the Bulgarian coach stuck to his roots against Italy.

The reason behind it being Italy’s familiarity with the system and an ease of playing against the same. Surprisingly, that caught Roberto Mancini off guard. The Lavovete were so good in their implementation of the wing-back system with the 3-man backline that Italy had to adapt.

The visitors switched to a 3-4-3 from their initial 4-3-3 formation, which meant Leonardo Spinazzola took to the flanks and played a left wing-back role, with Francesco Acerbi taking to the left centre-back role. That was a respectable feat achieved by the home side, who were otherwise dominated during the entire game.

However, Italy soon nullified Bulgaria's dangerous wing-backs Cicinho and Momchil Tsvetanov. With their main supply line cut off, Bulgaria ended up with almost no significant scoring chances on Sunday.

#4 Leonardo Spinazzola shines in an unimpressive Italy win

Leonardo Spinazzola owned the left flank on the night.

In a game marred by missed chances, one player surely caught the eye. AS Roma full-back Leonardo Spinazzola was probably Italy’s best player on the pitch.

Technically sound and a perfect implementer of Roberto Mancini’s tactics, the 28-year-old was brilliant in both the defensive as well as offensive exchanges on Sunday.

Supplying the Italian forwards from the left flank on nearly every run forward, Spinazzola was a livewire in the first half. He took a more defensive role in the second, but that doesn’t take anything away from his amazing performance in the opening 45 minutes.

Italy's high defensive line meant the left-back was exposed to defensively. But there was never a moment when he looked out of position. In fact, his man-marking and defensive work-rate high up the field took out Cicinho from the game, as the Bulgarian winger never seemed to find his footing all match.

#5 Manuel Locatelli scores his first Italy goal

Manuel Locatelli celebrates his goal with Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Veratti.

After some good exchanges with Lorenzo Insigne, substitute Manuel Locatelli curled an effort onto the far post to make it 2-0 for the away side with ten minutes left.

The finish was as beautiful as the buildup to the goal as Locatelli opened his scoring account for Italy.

The introduction of Ciro Immobile spiced up the game in the last 15 minutes. The Napoli forward was allowed a free-roaming role by Mancini. That led to much-needed fluidity in the Italian frontline. The creative freedom in the final third culminated with Locatelli's goal, but that was not the end of it.

Injury time also provided a glimpse of what Italy were capable of. A counter-attack led by Nicolo Barella unleashed Immobile through on goal. However, his fabulous effort was tipped away by Plamen Iliev for a corner.