by Mtarfa will face Birkirkara for the first time at Mgarr Ground at 14:00, kicking off the final double header before the international break. The Blues will be ready for another uphill battle against the Stripes who will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Form & Match Expectations
The two teams come into the match from different ends of the table. There is no doubt that Mtarfa’s start to the season has been as difficult as it could be, as they search to find their first points. The sight of Birkirkara will not be an easy one but despite this the side will continue in their fight as they do each week.
“Personally, I think Birkirkara are the strongest team in the league. A team that a club like ours have to look at to try and be like them one day.” said Mtarfa’s team manager Mario Formosa. Speaking about the expectations, he continued, “Of course, it will be a difficult match but if we don’t measure ourselves with big teams, we will never be able to develop our young players. No one likes to lose, but losing is part of winning. You have to learn from losing and always be willing to improve.”
On the other hand, Birkirkara are on the right side of the table, but undoubtedly will have desired three points against Swieqi United last time out in the search to defend their title. Speaking on the goalless stalemate, Jose’ Borg said, “The game against Swieqi United was a balanced one. Although we had the upper hand in certain moments of the game, created chances and had shots on target, none of this resulted in goals. However, I am still happy with the performance.”
Borg also alluded to the strengthening of teams and how the challenge for the title this year is expected to go to the wire, “There is still a lot to be done, we need to grow much more if we want to retain the title. As I have said multiple times, I believe that the squads fighting for the title this year are at an equal level and so it’s going to be a tough and a long road to the title.”
Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the side will look to recover their goalscoring form against Mtarfa. Speaking about what he will deem to be a good performance in the match, Borg said, “We are looking to build on the good performance against Swieqi. Hopefully this will be an easier game, but I want to see us continue building in confidence in attack for future games.”
Squad Rotations & The Importance of Showing Up
Despite limited goalscoring return, the Blues’ Angele Fenech and Estelle Borg showed signs of good link-up play in attack against Valletta last week. Probed about the likelihood of exploiting this combination, Formosa replied, “Both Estelle and Angele are a joy. They can be fielded in multiple positions and both are giving us good performances.” However, Fenech has often been fielded in the defence and speaking to that effect, Formosa continued, “Angele played as a centre back during last year’s Under 17 league and this season she is learning a lot from a mentor like Rebecca Zammit.”
Other youngsters have also been showing up including the Kerrie & Paula Ciappara, as well as Corine Deguara who returned in the starting eleven against Valletta. Probed about the importance of their will to fight despite the difficult results, Formosa replied, “Although people may look only at results, I am very happy to see how players like Corine Deguara, Kerrie and Paula Ciappara are developing their game. There is so much potential in this group of girls and players should believe more in themselves.”
On the other hand, a number of players, such as Darya Attard and Slavina Aleksandrova Peneva have been missing in recent weeks. Probed about the absence of various players, Formosa replied, “Unfortunately with the matches that are being scheduled during weekends, there are some players that are missing matches due to their work. Hopefully, we will recover them for the second round.”
Meanwhile, Birkirkara’s had to make do without Charlene Zammit once more, but Valentina Rapa has slotted into the position rather well. Probed about her performances, Borg said, “Valentina did well to fill in. It’s not easy to fill Charlene’s role considering that she has been a key player in Birkirkara’s centre defence for a long while and also considering Charlene’s importance even in the national team of Malta.”
Speaking of Rapa’s recurring presence in the Stripes senior line-up, “Valentina is one of the most promising players of Birkirkara. She’s been playing in other roles in defence in the past and also did well in the centre. Hopefully we can continue building this player.”
Meanwhile, there is positive news for the Stripes in relation to Zammit’s return, “Charlene is recovering well and might be in before we actually anticipated. We’re not going to rush things but perhaps we will see her in the pitch sooner than we thought.” One notes that in fact, Zammit has been called up for international duty by Malta’s coach Manuela Tesse.
Birkirkara also have a number of youngsters who could be making an appearance against the Blues. Amelia Vassallo is one such promising youngster who was introduced late against Swieqi United last week.
Probed about squad rotation and the likelihood of more youngsters being given a chance prove themselves in the senior league, Jose Borg replied, “Yes, we might consider changing the line-up, although we have not faced Mtarfa yet this year. The players that don’t play regularly in my team are mostly youth players who have their own league and they had a tough November too so they were playing their 90 minutes, sometimes even twice a week. So of course you have to consider both leagues when introducing them in the senior league too. However, we are looking to give a few of them some minutes as well.”
The two sides kick-off proceedings at 14:00, in today’s double-header at Mgarr Ground, before the final clash of the weekend between Mgarr United and Valletta. That promises an engrossing battle with latter seeking to close the gap to the top-four while the Greens will seek to continue on their title charge.
The league will then stop for the international break that will see the return of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. Malta’s selection will be in action against Moldova on the 1st of December (15:00), before playing the final match at the Centenary Stadium, Ta Qali against Latvia on the 5th December (16:00). Tickets for that match may be purchased online.
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