Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano recalled a “crazy” goal for Bozhidar Kraev during their time together in Wellington after the Western Sydney Wanderers star ended his international hiatus as they prepare to reunite this week.
Wellington Phoenix boss Italiano and former player Kraev will go face-to-face on Saturday when last season’s Semi-Finalists welcome high-flying Western Sydney to Sky Stadium in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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Kraev makes the trip to his former home Wellington after returning to the Bulgaria national team for the first time since 2021. The 24-time international played as the world number 82 lost their two-legged UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off.
The 27-year-old spent two seasons with the Phoenix, including one with Italiano as head coach as the Wellington tactician hailed the Bulgarian attacker.
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“He is probably my favourite player to speak to,” Italiano said with a smile during his pre-game press conference.
“You can’t help but smile when you talk to him, and he’s a good guy, so it’s just a shame that we couldn’t keep him here last year.
“But again, he’s proven his quality. Unbelievable that he’s been called up to the national team. I think I mentioned to him in his first year (here), I said, ‘the goal for you is to get back into the national team’. He said I was crazy.
“But fantastic that he has done well, and he deserves it.”
