by Birkirkara and Hibernians will attempt to distinguish themselves in first place tonight at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, with kick-off set at 20:30. Vince Galea and Kenneth Costantino underlined the importance for their teams to grow into their own, while eyeing an engrossing battle in their first clash of the season between the two record-seeking giants.
Tied To First
Equal on ten points, Birkirkara and Hibernians will go into the match with sights set on ending matchday five on top. The Stripes will head into the fixture on the back of a goalless draw against Mgarr United, which marked the first points dropped by the defending champions.
Vince Galea reflected on the match, including the need to adapt to a surprise change in system by the Greens, “It’s true that we expected Mgarr to start in a different shape and took some time for our team to adapt. However, these are the challenges that our players should embrace and seek to find different solutions on the pitch. I believe that going one player more, psychologically worked against our team, as we started to lose control and forcing too many balls in the wrong spaces.”
Meanwhile, Hibernians secured themselves the three points needed to equal the Stripes on points, by winning their encounter against Valletta by 3-0. In view of the team having had the opportunity for a bigger scoreline, Kenneth Costantino praised the patience showed by his team to earn the strong victory, “Valletta are a staunch team to breakdown. Being patient is very important. You need to create the spaces in order to open them up and I think the girls did a wonderful job. Obviously, there is always room for improvement and we need to make the best of opportunities.”
Predictability & Navigating Change
Birkirkara have had their fair share of challenges as they’ve started the season, especially with a defensive unit that has had significant change as a result of transfers and injuries. The side are still without first-choice goalkeeper Janice Xuereb who is still sidelined with ACL injury, while Maya Cachia has been recruited and rose to the challenge thus far.
The defence has also shown considerable change, in part due to the ACL injury sustained by captain Stephania Farrugia, which has settled a new centre-back partnership between Charlene Zammit and Valentina Rapa. Other changes have been enforced by the transfer season.
Vince Galea discussed navigating these challenges with his technical staff, while hailing the importance of an experienced centre-back, “We are happy with squad we have and although truly we are missing crucial experienced players, we are introducing younger players in our sessions and in games. We had to make changes and it is still a work in progress, although we see the defensive duties as a team duty rather than individually or department wise. Our young defence is led by a very experienced and proficient player; Charlene (Zammit), who helps and supports the young players very professionally.”
Discussing the increase in responsibility for young players like Valentina Rapa and Maya Cachia to step up to the task, Vince Galea continued, “These are the same players that played in Champions League against Anderlecht, as well as in the league against Swieqi and Mgarr, and they stood up to the challenges they faced. I see them in training day in day out with other young players and they push to their limits to improve in every aspect.”
Meanwhile, Martina Fenech also made her first start since returning from injury, which also earned plaudits from the Birkirkara coach who is eyeing further involvement, “Although this was her first start after more than a full year out of the game, she has been physically improving during the summer period and she was progressively utilised in every game from MD 1, in both matches in the Champions League and games since. She is very close and able to play full matches.”
On the other hand, Hibernians are starting to show a sense of rhythm with a consistent first-eleven, but does beg the question of the impact of predictability of a team. However, Kenneth Costantino shrugged off any concern, “At the top level, teams slightly modify their game but their identity and style of play are very visible and clear. I believe that we have a clear identity and players are very aware of their duties. The players have a strong understanding of positional play, occupation of space and set principles of play. Then if opponents manage to break us down, kudos to them. Ultimately that is the aim of the game. I do not agree that we are predictable. We have various solutions going forward.”
The Two Giants Meet Again
Birkirkara have dominated the recent past to put themselves on equal terms with Hibernians in league titles, making this year’s battle truly one for the history books. It is still early days to call the title, but tonight presents a clash that certainly set some hearts racing.
Vince Galea was probed about whether the hurdles faced against Mgarr United’s change in system is something that will help his team, as they encounter Hibernians who have been consistent in their 3-4-3 approach.
He said, “In some way, yes it was, although the style of play is completely different. We expect every match to be very hard and tonight we expect no favours from a very tactically disciplined team. However, these are the games that my players are eager to play and while winning is important at this early stages, I enforce the idea to win by playing well and to have a positive approach on the game.”
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino is not under any illusion of the strength of Birkirkara, despite the side coming into it following a goalless draw. He said, “Birkirkara are the team that scored the most. Shooting blanks in one game does not define their attacking prowess.”
The Paolites’ coach is expecting a tough battle tonight as the sides eye top spot, but has eyes firmly set on the long season ahead, “I believe both teams are in form and both teams play to win. We are still in September – there is a long way yet to go.”
The two sides will meet at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, with kick-off set at 20:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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