by Mtarfa and Valletta will be opening this afternoon’s double-header at Dingli Ground at 14:00. The two team managers weighed in on the encounter as Mtarfa go into it seeking a fresh start, while Valletta will look to continue pushing on their growing trajectory.
Match Expectations
The two sides go into the fixture from separate ends of the bottom section of the league table. Valletta go into the match following another solid victory over Lija Athletic, while Mtarfa were unable to make scoring inroads against San Gwann.
Mtarfa appear to be seeking a fresh start according to team manager Mario Formosa, with motivation to limit City, “As you said, Valletta are the best team in the bottom four pool. We need to forget the previous two games against them and play our match. I really believe that we are capable of limiting them.”
The team has been operating under a different coaching staff. Asked about how the team is handling these changes, Formosa replied, “Coaches Christian Curmi and Brandon Spiteri tried to regroup the team. It isn’t easy for a team to stay focused during a change in the technical staff. However, as a team we are trying all our best to protect the players so they can give their best in the remaining matches.”
On the other hand, Valletta appeared to hit another gear in their control of possession against Lija Athletic last week. The team manager, Chris Vella Barberi, praised the performance, “We are very pleased with our latest performances, where we are playing our game more easily and giving space to all the young players in the squad.”
The team won the opening two matches against Valletta with a dominant scoreline, however, the Brazilian striker Marcelle de Oliveira Julio, who scored six out of the seventeen goals has since departed.
However, asked about earning the three points without the Brazilian striker, the team manager suggests that the team has been able to fill her shoes since and believes they will continue to do so in the upcoming match, “Each game has it’s own story and we never underestimate our opponents. Regarding Marcelle not being on the squad other players have proven themselves good substitutes for her.”
Player Returns & Squad Rotation
Mtarfa have had a growing absentee list due to a variety of reasons, but appear to be boosted by a few key returns, while it appears that Dorienne Grech has shaken off the injury that plagued her against San Gwann, “Good news is that the Dorienne Grech will be back as the injury wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Also we have gained back Rebecca Zammit who alongside Dorienne and other experienced players, are the backbone of the team.” However, there appears to be no good news in attack in regards to the return of Estelle Borg, “Unfortunately, Estelle will be again out because of injury.”
The two teams feature a number of young players, who also play in the Assikura Women’s Youth League (U19). Valletta sit in second place in that league and will be meeting third-placed Birkirkara on Tuesday, while also playing the next senior league match on Thursday against San Gwann.
The majority of the team is fielded in both leagues. Asked about managing the squad rotations ahead of these encounters, Vella Barberi said, “That is always a problem for us as most of our squad also take part in the U19 league. Unfortunately the way the fixtures are drawn, we sometimes end up with players playing three games in a week. We always try to balance the playing time as much as possible to give them adequate rest in between matches. Against Mtarfa we will try give an opportunity to players to get some playing time.”
The two teams will open today’s proceedings at Dingli Ground, with a 14:00 kick-off. Their match will be followed by the encounter between San Gwann and Lija Athletic (16:30).
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