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EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- Giantkiller Bulgaria, which buried title-holder Germany on Sunday, aims to slay former champion Italy on Wednesday and take its exhilarating World Cup challenge all the way to the final.
If Bulgaria, 50-1 outsider after the draw for the finals last December, can reproduce the inspiration that gave it a 2-1 quarterfinal win over the Germans, it has every chance against Roberto Baggio's Italy.
Baggio rescued Italy against Nigeria in the second round and Spain in the quarterfinals when it had appeared to be heading for World Cup eclipse but escaped instead with a pair of 2-1 victories.
Italy, which lost its opening game against Ireland, has not shown the form to match its proud traditions -- much like the Germans who saw a 1-0 lead overturned by two masterly strikes by Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Lechkov.
Stoichkov and Lechkov, abetted by attacking midfielder Krasimir Balakov, proved deadly to Germany and could give the Italian defense an equally torrid time.
The lively Bulgarians are ready for further upsets in the Giants Stadium against the nation that won the trophy in 1934, 1938 and 1982.
"Italy is a tricky team and I'm expecting a very tough match," the Bulgarian goalkeeper Borislav Mihailov commented.
However Mihailov added: "I think we have a real chance against Italy. It's not as good a team as Germany."
Balakov, by contrast, expects a harder time against Italy, a team drawing heavily on the talents of the European Cup winners AC Milan.
Bulgaria: Aiming for Upsets
13 July 1994
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