Francesca Bartolo On Life With Valletta & Representing Malta

Francesca Bartolo has been steadily growing within the ranks of the women’s football leagues in Malta. Having had her start in her hometown in Haz-Zebbug, the seventeen-year-old continued her journey with Raiders, who this year merged with Valletta.

Bringing versatility and composure on the ball, the seventeen-year-old is often a metronome Valletta’s midfield. However, being fielded in a more offensive role, Bartolo has also been popping up with a few goals for the team.  

Forming part of a squad who actively compete in the Assikura Women’s Youth League and Assikura Women’s League, Bartolo has already notched valuable experience despite the young age. Her club performances earned her a spot in the U17 national team in September’s window. The team earned a second-place on the return to the UEFA Women’s EURO U17 Qualifications and will be competing for promotion on home soil this week.

The Sporting Fan caught up with Valletta’s number twenty-one to get her take on the season so far, for both club and country.

Eleanor Saliba (ES): You’re accustomed to playing the U19s and senior league, however, this year you changed emblem to Valletta. What do you make of the season so far and the move to Valletta?

Francesca Bartolo (FB): Playing in two leagues is a good experience because it gives me a chance to play against older and more experienced players, whose physicality is also stronger. It gives a confidence boost then when playing in the U19 league, because I feel that I have that added experience compared to maybe other players because I also play in the senior league. As regards Valletta, although there were a few players who went a different way, a lot of us stayed together, so the change is not felt so much in that regard.

ES: We’re used to seeing you in midfield, sometimes in defence, but this year have taken more of a creative and attacking role. How has it been for you to navigate the different positions and is it difficult to adapt between games?

FB: I think in general playing these slightly different roles helps me to build both the defensive and attacking aspects of my game. I prefer playing at midfield, where I feel I can show my best abilities, but I am always willing to adapt in service to the team that I am playing with.

For example, with the national team I played different roles as a central defender with the U17 and full back with U19. So, depending on where the coach requires me to play in that game I will try to adapt accordingly. I think I’m used to the change because I played a lot in defence when I was with the boys team in Zebbug in the past, but then played in attack with the girls team. So, I’m used to it. However, there are still elements of playing in attack which are new to me, that I am trying to improve.

ES: You have very good vision and a knack for choosing the right pass, while seeming very calm in doing so. Are you as calm as you look during matches?

FB: Before matches I’m actually usually excited and anxious. However, then when I take to the pitch I try to push myself to focus and be as calm as possible to avoid making mistakes.

ES: Playing in a more advanced position, you’ve been creating and also scoring quite a few goals, some from the box but a few from long-distance as well. Your performances earned you won the Youth League Player of the Month award for the October-November period. What does it mean to you to get that recognition?

FB: It’s really satisfying to be recognised in this way, because it means that the work I’m putting in is reflecting positively.  It would not be possible without my teammates believing in me, especially considering that playing as a striker is newer to me. So, credit to them as well for believing in me. Overall, receiving the award makes me more determined to keep working to ultimately help the team.

Francesca Bartolo’s performances earned her a spot in the U17 National Women’s Team selection participating in the first round and the upcoming matches of the UEFA Women’s EURO Qualification Championships.

ES: You also had the opportunity to go to Croatia to represent the U17 Malta National Team, where you got second place in the group. What was the experience like for you and is there a difference that you observe in these matches, as opposed to playing the domestic games?

FB: Playing against international teams is always a nice experience because it gives an opportunity to see the different levels. I think it’s good because it gives an understanding of differences both at an individual level for me and at team level. The first game was quite tough, but by the second match we were more accustomed to the difference in intensity and had more confidence.

As to the difference from the domestic games, I think you feel that some of the foreign teams are more physical and the intensity is also higher in the matches, when compared domestically. However, I think locally the league is also improving. 

ES: Round 2 will be played in Malta over the upcoming two weeks. Considering the form that you are having and the performance of the national team in September, what are the aims that you have in this tournament and what do you think about playing the tournament locally?

FB: It’s always an honour to represent your nation. So, every match I would try to give my best so that we bring the best possible results. It’s nice to play in Malta, I think it gives us more motivation to have more supporters on our side. It gives us a boost even considering that we will meet Luxembourg again. Having played against them match in Round 1, I think we will be better prepared. Hopefully, we can improve and aim for first place this time.

Quick Fire Questions:

1. Score or Assist – Score
2. Holiday Trip – somewhere in nature or go to a city? – City
3. Attacking duties or defensive duties as a midfielder? – Attacking Duties
4. Night out or night in? – Night Out
5. Play at night or during the day? – During The Day
6. Eliminate: poor officiation or poor pitches? – Poor Officiation
7. Favourite football player? – Lionel Messi
8. Best trainer in the U17 Malta National Team Squad? – Lexine Farrugia
9. First football memory? – playing with my hometown, Haz-Zebbug, at 9 years old
10. Dream competition to play in? – World Cup

Francesca Bartolo will be forming part of Malta’s U17 Women’s National Team as they take on the Northern Ireland (21st February) and Luxembourg (27th February) at the Centenary Stadium (11:00), following which she’ll return to club duties.

The Sporting Fan thanks Francesca Bartolo for taking the time to be able to bring you this feature.

Lead Image: Valletta FC Women

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