Italian media focus on fascist fans

Holders Italy were reasonably happy with Saturday's 0-0 draw against Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying Group Eight but were less pleased by some minor crowd trouble in Sofia.

With very few chances in the game, Italian media focused on a group of away fans who threw bottles at Bulgarian supporters and made fascist salutes and chants.

Sofia police arrested three Italian fans for setting a Bulgarian flag on fire during the national anthem, the Bulgarian state agency reported on Sunday.

Four Bulgarian fans were arrested for trying to carry fireworks into the Vasil Levski national stadium.

Italy has been battling a soccer hooligan problem in recent years while there have been tensions with eastern European immigrants throughout the country.

Italian soccer federation president Giancarlo Abete told Rai television: ‘The fans need to be punished.

‘Tickets were sold with names on them so we can trace every single person.’

On the field, debutant Simone Pepe had an average game while fellow striker Giuseppe Rossi, who came on as a substitute for his first cap, was more involved and could be pushing for a start in Wednesday's home match against Montenegro in Lecce.

Forward Luca Toni will be missing through suspension after picking up a booking in Sofia but he probably would not have started anyway.

The struggling Bayern Munich frontman made another uninspired appearance as a substitute with the lively Alberto Gilardino starting ahead of him.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi told reporters: ‘I'm satisfied with the way we played.

‘We didn't create many chances but we also didn't allow the Bulgarians to score. This team is growing in experience after every single match.’

Italy top Group Eight with seven points from three games.