Catching Up With Birkirkara’s Marta Grosso

Hailing from neighbouring Italy, Marta Grosso is into her second season with Birkirkara this year. Her beginning with the Stripes last year saw her debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) where she was involved in earning the first victory against Glentoran FC. Last season she grew into the team, ultimately helping them to win the Super Cup and the Assikura Women’s League.  

Those following the Stripes will know that the Italian brings an exceptional work ethic and has already kicked off this season with a bang. She has scored four goals and made two assists in the opening two matches of the league, while also being heavily involved in this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League matches, including the victory against Breznica Pljevlja.

However, it has not all been easy. The Sporting Fan met with Grosso to discuss her first year in Malta, with all its triumphs and hardships, making the decision to stay and her aims for this year.

Eleanor Saliba (ES): When did you start playing football and was there someone who inspired you?

Marta Grosso (MG): I started playing football in a club when I was eleven years old. Before that, I used to play volleyball, but played football every day in the garden with my friends. So, one day I told my parents that I wanted to play football and at first, they were a bit puzzled, you know sort of asking whether I was sure. However, I said I wanted to try it because I had a passion for it. They supported me but only had the condition that I play in a women’s team so I always played with girls. So, I joined the team in my city, Tavagnacco, when I was eleven. If I had to say what inspired me, I think it was simply that I really enjoyed playing it with my friends.

ES: Italy is very passionate about football. What was your experience like playing back home, considering that there are a lot more clubs and so perhaps more competition?

MG: Initially there were four teams in my region, but I chose Tavagnacco because it was close to me and at the time the team played in Serie A. So, I grew up with the goal to play in Serie A. I went through the youth teams so was playing with for example U15 and initially we were playing against boys, which was tough but I was happy to play. Then we started to play against Verona, Milan, Juventus and more. We were close to winning the league one year so it was a good experience. Then I made my debut in Serie A against Brescia when I was seventeen, which was amazing to do with the team that I grew up with. It was one of the top teams at the time so it was a great feeling.

ES: What attracted you to come to Birkirkara in Malta?

MG: It is my first time playing away from Italy and with a club other than Tavagnacco really. When I was offered this opportunity I liked that it is close to Italy, so not too far away from home, but a different opportunity. I did the trial and speaking with the coach he thought that I could do well with the team. My first games were in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last year, so it was a big experience but I thought I could do well so I stayed with Birkirkara.

ES: During last year we saw you grow more and more into the team, ultimately helping to lift the Super Cup and the Assikura Women’s League title. What was the first year like for you to get used to the style of play, intensity perhaps and to gain confidence within the team?

MG: To be honest the first month was hard for me, because as I said it was my first time away from home. I remember walking onto the pitch for my first match in the Champions League and then hearing the song I got goosebumps. I was a bit emotional because we were playing in this big stadium in Romania and it was a very good feeling. You want to do everything to do well on the pitch and especially after we won the game against Glentoran, which was the first time for the team after ten years playing in the Champions League, it made it even more special. The celebrations after were great and it was special for me to be part of the team making that piece of history.

So, after that I had more enthusiasm to do well with the team in the league. However, it was hard in the beginning because I needed to get used to the team and also the other teams. So, maybe I started to do better in the second part of the season, so after January. Winning the league was one of my goals in my career in football, so I was very happy to achieve this with the team.

ES: As you said you played in the UWCL matches last year against Sarajevo and the first win against Glentoran, in what were your first matches with the team. This year you returned with the team in the competition and won another match against Breznica before falling to Zurich. In between, you had a year of growth in the team. How do you compare the two experiences in the UWCL?

MG: I get goosebumps thinking about it still. This year I came back for the pre-season in July and the coach was fully focused on preparing for the Champions League games. We studied the teams a lot and did a lot of preparation. We were fully focused because we were also playing in Malta, so there was an extra desire to do well in front of the supporters. This year it felt better because I know my teammates better, so I was more prepared for the games and I think I did better because of this.

If I had to compare my feeling of playing the Champions League this year to last year, I would say it was the same or even more excited because we were playing in Malta. I think we played very well this year. We won the first game against Breznica Pljevlja and although we lost the second game, I think we did well considering that Zurich is a very strong team and we managed to score a goal. I think playing against these teams who are maybe a level stronger than you is important to keep aiming higher and improving. This year I would say we were better, but also it is maybe because I know the team better, even off the pitch.

ES: On the pitch I would say you are someone that is willing to work very hard for the team, but you also seem to go about your football very quietly. In football there is a tendency that people perhaps misunderstand someone who is quiet for being less passionate. Have you had any issues with this in your time playing football?

MG: I think this year I am perhaps the true Marta. Last year it was very difficult for me because perhaps since I am from Italy it was not easy for me to communicate freely with the team on and off the pitch. Maybe this is why I seemed so quiet. However, this year I think my teammates can see that I am not as quiet as they thought, because I am more open with them. On the pitch I am very focused, so I would say I am different on the pitch when compared to off the pitch. Overall I would say I am a little quiet but also not very quiet!

ES: We’ve seen you play in midfield, out wide, centre attacking midfield and even as a striker. Is there a place where you prefer to play and which aspect of the game do you enjoy the most?

MG: Yes, so since I started playing football I always played in midfield. When I started with Birkirkara, the coach put me on the wing because I like to run and to be involved in the attack. I like to score goals so would like to improve this goal tally this year. However, I like to play in midfield because I can be involved in creating the attack and you have more control over what happens with the ball. I would say I prefer the attacking part of the game more, but I am ready to sacrifice myself to also help with defending. So, I think being able to do all of these things, the best position is to be a midfielder.

ES: I understand that you were at a crossroads this summer on whether to return to Italy or stay in Malta with the team. Can you give some insight into the situation and what ultimately led you to stay?

MG: This year I came here in the first week of July for pre-season. Last year I came with my friend Gaia (Milan), so as a first year away from home it was at least with a friend. However, this year I came alone and so it was a difficult moment for me because I was not sure if I could do it without my family and my friends. I had the opportunity to go back with my previous team, so I knew it was an option but I wanted to stop and think about all the aspects of staying here and going back to Italy. I was very closed off initially this summer.

After the Champions League, spending time with the team and also discussing this with someone who is close to me here, I started to see that maybe it made more sense to stay here in Malta in the big picture. In all aspects, on the pitch but also away from it. I think since making the decision to stay I became more open and happier when compared to the previous months. I am staying with three amazing people in the apartment and even on the pitch I am much happier. So, now I am seeing it as a year of growing as a person and also as a footballer.

ES: You’ve started the season brightly, with good performances in both the UWCL and the Assikura Women’s League, including scoring four goals and two assists already. What are your objectives this season personally and with the team?

MG: I would say for myself this year my aim was to score more goals than last year and I have already done it, but I want to score more. I want to be more confident with the ball and be an important member in the team, to help create goals and do well overall. As a team I think we are even stronger this year, but also I think the league overall is more difficult than last year. However, as a team I think we are very prepared and hope we can do well. The overall goal is to win the league and the cups. I think we started the season well, even in the Champions League, so hopefully we can continue from there.  

Quick Fire Questions:

1. Assist in open play or from a set-piece? – Assist in open play
2. Hiking in the mountains or boat trip on a lake? – Boat trip on a lake
3. Tiramisu or Ice-Cream? – Ice-cream
4. Favourite football player? – I watch a lot of both women and men football so maybe now I don’t actually have one, but since I was young it was Messi so I will say him.
5. Ferragosto or Befana? – Ferragosto
6. Favourite way to spend free time away from football? – Hang out with my friends
7. Score a header or strike from long-distance? – Strike from long-distance
8. If you were not a football player, which sport would you play? – Running or maybe volleyball because I like team sport.
9. Dream stadium to play in? – Camp Nou
10. Dream team to compete against? – Recently I am enjoying watching English football, so maybe Manchester City or Arsenal

The Sporting Fan would like to thank Marta Grosso for her time to be able to bring you this feature and look forward to seeing more of her in the Assikura Women’s League. Birkirkara FC will continue their league commitments next Friday 13th October against Hibernians FC at 18:00 (Centenary Stadium).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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