by Mtarfa and Mgarr United will conclude the double-header at Dingli Ground, starting at 17:30, before players head for the international break. Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo did not mince words about steering the team against struggles, while Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella is urging his team to get back on track following last week’s defeat.
On The Back Of Defeats
The match will conclude the opening of the second round, with the teams breaking off for the international break. Mtarfa head into it unable to make inroads on the scoreboard, having most recently fallen to a 6 – 0 defeat to Birkirkara at the end of the opening round.
The Blues came under fire not only on the pitch, but also on social media prior to the match. Questioned about how the team handles such situations and his message as leader to his team, Gaetano Papaleo replied, “You can be the best driver in the world, but if you want to drive a Ferrari that is without an engine, the car will never start. We have a shortage of players and it’s on everyone’s radar.”
Mtarfa took to the pitch without several youngsters including Angele Fenech and Jasmine Camilleri, while Paula Ciappara had to make way during the match because of injury. However, probed about the condition of the players, the Italian replied, “l have no idea because they don’t train with me during the week.”
Meanwhile, questioned about the quiet approach to the match against Birkirkara, Papaleo’s response painted a rather dire picture, “To train five to six players is not enough and above all to always speak to these same players during the game has made me tired. Furthermore, it is not fair to these girls.”
Mgarr United’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end at the hands of Swieqi United, who edged out a 1 – 0 victory to pip the Greens to third place. Ryan Vella agreed that it was a match where the two sides cancelled each other out, “One hundred percent. Both teams struggled to dictate the tempo of the game. It was a midfield battle and it was very cagey. We knew that the game would be very close. Both teams made mistakes, Swieqi took their chance and we unfortunately didn’t.”
Probed about maturity in handling such tight encounters, Vella replied, “Yes in these direct encounters it’s very important to try to play your own game and control the game as much as possible.” However, the young coach maintains a positive outlook on his team bouncing back, We know we’re still a work in process and I’m sure that we will learn from this defeat.”
Match Expectations
The comments paint a picture of two sides looking to get things going in a positive trajectory, as the two deal with their own struggles. Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo reiterated the strength of his opposition, but maintained an approach to get something out of the match, “Mgarr is a great team, strong, fast, organised. Even if it’ s difficult, we will try to do our best.”
On the other hand, probed about whether rotations are in store to meet the team at the bottom of the table, or whether he is looking for his team to get a strong performance to break off for the international break on a positive note, Ryan Vella hinted at the latter.
Mgarr United’s coach remarked, “Every game is equally important for us. The primary objective is securing the three points and getting back on the right track. Changes will depend on the flow of the game.”
The two teams will conclude the eighth matchday in the Assikura Women’s League and today’s double-header at Dingli Ground, with the match starting at 17:30. It follows the encounter between San Gwann and Birkirkara (15:00).
The matches will be followed by an international break, where the Maltese contingent will travel to Rome to face Italy’s senior national team at the Tre Fontane stadium. The match will be played on the 25th October, starting at 18:15.
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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