by Valletta will look to return to winning ways against Mtarfa at the Centenary Stadium tonight, with kick-off set at 20:15. Valletta have the chance to do the double, while Mtarfa seek to close the gap to those above them.
Match Expectations
Valletta come into the match as the heavy favourites based on table position, as well as having won the last encounter by 9-0. They will also be seeking to return to winning form after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Hibernians last week.
Speaking on the likelihood of such a big margin of victory against Mtarfa this time round, Valletta’s Denis Guerra said, “All teams have improved and are getting better. Everyone is doing the best to create the best team. You have to prepare the matches always with the same mentality and focus.”
Meanwhile, Mtarfa will hope to overturn their fortunes and start bagging points. They come on the back of their largest loss thus far this season, a 10-0 defeat to Swieqi United. However, probed about whether he believes his team can reduce the scoreline against Valletta this time round, Mtarfa’s response was, “It will be a very difficult match due to some of the missing players that we have, but I am sure that those players who will be playing will be giving their two-hundred percent for the team. Personally, I am very proud of all players’ commitment and dedication to the team.”
Questioned on whether they have been able to recuperate any of the considerable number of injuries that plagued the team against Swieqi United, “Unfortunately not. To continue worsening the situation from last Saturday, we have another two to three players who are doubtful for today’s match because of injury and sickness. Luck isn’t on our side for sure.”
Key Players
Both sides feature squads with a considerable number of youngsters who are accompanied by more experienced players on the pitch. Megan La Rosa has been a player to consistently earn more minutes in Denis Guerra’s senior team, while also undertaking duties in the U19 league, where she most recently got on the scoresheet with an absolute banger against Hibernians.
Probed about whether she is likely to feature in the match to continue this good form, Denis Guerra praised the youngster, “Megan has been training with me for many years and has always been a very interesting player. Unfortunately she spent many months injured. Lately she has reached a good football maturity and she is ready to compete in all the leagues.” He gave nothing away on whether she will feature tonight though.
Another player that continues to impress is Francesca Bartolo, who like La Rosa also got on the scoresheet in the Assikura Women’s Youth League against Hibernians earlier in the week, with a brace. This year, Bartolo appears to be taking a more advanced role in midfield for the team. Questioned whether this is could become a permanent transition, Guerra replied, “Francesca has super potential. Despite the very young age she became an essential player for us. She is very versatile and can play everywhere. Lately I played her closer to the opponent’s goalpost with great results. As coaches we have always to consider injuries and absences, and adapt accordingly.”
Guerra was also probed about the fact that Thresa Scicluna continues to feature for San Gwann despite having been announced with the team earlier in the transfer season. Guerra confirmed that the player initially wanted a new challenge which prompted the signing with Valletta, but that Scicluna has since returned to the Yellows for a more consistent playing time. The permanent return was also confirmed by San Gwann and indeed Scicluna has been featuring more consistently for the Yellows as the season wears on.
Meanwhile, Mtarfa’s Eliza Csik and Nicole Mifsud impressed with their never-say-die attitude in the pitch against Swieqi United. Asked about the importance of these resilient characters as the team aims to get themselves out of this points drought, Mtarfa’s response was, “Honestly, we have good individual players. Our aim is to build a solid base for the future and always try to reduce the gap to other teams. It isn’t easy but we will be doing our best to achieve this.”
The three points will be up for grabs as the whistle blows at 20:15 tonight at the Centenary Stadium.
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