Football
Reuters 18y

Soccer-Atletico will win many titles with Petrov - Stoitchkov

MADRID, Oct 6 - Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoitchkov
says Atletico Madrid will enjoy great success in Spain if they
nurture the talents of his compatriot Martin Petrov.

"If they support him, let him develop, and allow him to
express himself Atletico will win many titles with Petrov,"
Stoitchkov told sports daily AS on Thursday.

Petrov, 26, joined Atletico from Bundesliga side VfL
Wolfsburg for 8.5 million euros in July and has been an
immediate hit at the Calderon.

A fixture for his country, Petrov has impressed with his
pace at Atletico and although he has yet to score in the league
he has proved a handful for every opponent.

The winger's feisty, aggressive style and the fact that he
is left-footed, have drawn comparisons with Stoitchkov, who was
a key member of Johan Cruyff's victorious Barcelona side during
the early nineties.

"He's Bulgarian and left-footed. There aren't many around
are there? Of course there are similarities," Stoitchkov said.

"But I don't like these comparisons. He should be allowed to
chart his own course. What he needs now is for rest of his team
to help him develop.

"With the side they have now, and the signings they made,
Atletico should finish the league among the top six. They will
definitely be in Europe next year."

Bulgaria, who are out contention for the World Cup finals in
Germany next year, play Hungary on Saturday in Group Eight, and
Malta four days later.

Atletico's next game is at home to city rivals Real Madrid.

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