by Lija Athletic and San Gwann will be meeting for the third time this season at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30 tonight. Jethron Azzopardi and Julian Camilleri discussed their recent fixtures in view of the rotations observed and their ambitions in developing their teams. Having had two very different clashes this season, the coaches promised an engrossing battle tonight.
Testing Waters
Lija Athletic will welcome San Gwann for the third time this season, with the first two encounters having been won by San Gwann, albeit in very different ways. Lija Athletic head into this one following a narrow 1 – 0 defeat to Valletta. It was one in which the side featured plenty of new young faces, including first appearances for Phoebe Camilleri, Margerita Ulani Belkis, as well as Emma Ruth Lake, Milena Stagno and Kayleigh Abela who are becoming more regular features.
Jethron Azzopardi was delighted with the team, “I was very proud of all, as they had a good performance overall. We have been suffering from the beginning of the league. Now we are recovering to have a good end.”
The side appeared to be more willing to try to play out from the back, as opposed to resorting to hopeful launches from the back. Asked about the ambitions for the side to adopt this philosophy, Jethron Azzopardi replied, “It always depends on the game, how the opponent presses, the paces of the pitch and players’ condition. The team has been practicing for more than a year now. They are capable to adopt and change formation against any opponent.”
Meanwhile, San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri was true to his word on a heavily rotated starting team against Mtarfa, “I wanted to rest some key players and give more match practice to those who hadn’t played as much.”
The side managed to keep up their winning run, finding goals in the second half, but San Gwann’s coach lamented his team’s mentality, “I was not too happy with the performance of those who started as well as those who came on from the bench. We could have lost points had we not taken more care in the later stages. We were too soft and I think we took the match too fore-granted. We can never take to the pitch with that mentality.”
Besides several rotations, there appears to be an increasing reliance on Annabelle Rapa, Martina Schembri and Fatma Al Girbi in midfield. Questioned about that trio in midfield to balance the team, Julian Camilleri replied, “I like rotating players and think long term. I believe I still need to develop and adapt certain players to their associated position. However, right now those three give me peace of mind in midfield. Still, sometimes I have to change to adapt to issues I may have cropping up in other positions.”
Match Expectations
As noted above, San Gwann have grabbed all six available points from the first two encounters. However, the two matches contrasted heavily. The first was a narrow 2 – 1 victory, but the Yellows had complete control of the second match, cruising to a 7 – 0 victory.
Jethron Azzopardi was questioned on whether he is keen on adopting a cautious approach to avoid a heavy defeat, or whether he’s pushing his team for the points come what may. The Lija coach replied, “We always start cautious and set the momentum depending on the opponents style of play. However, tomorrow will be interesting to watch.”
Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri was questioned on whether he believes his team could replicate a commanding victory, or whether Lija’s performance against Valletta suggests that a different battle could shape up tonight.
San Gwann’s coach replied, “Lija have always given us a good match and it is not always easy to find a way to break them down. On their day, they can be a very difficult team to play against, but maybe they are not always consistent. We must go into the pitch prepared mentally, physically and tactically disciplined to get the three points.”
One can only hope for a battle as fierce as the ones that played out last season and in the early stages of this one. The two are due to meet at the Charles Abela Stadium tonight, with kick-off set at 20:30.
Lead Images: Elise Bajada
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