by San Gwann & Valletta will be hoping to find their first victory of the season this evening as they battle it out at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30. Julian Camilleri & Anton Cremona were in unison on the impact that big defeats and a battle for experience & depth continue to have on their teams as they attempt to compete in the league.
A Week Break To Ponder Tough Defeats
The two teams head into the match equal on points and fighting to lift themselves from the bottom of the table. Having both been knocked out of the Jubilee Cup in the Preliminary Round, San Gwann and Valletta head into the match following a week off from senior competitions. However, both had several players in action on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively in the Assikura Women’s Youth league.
San Gwann last succumbed to a 6 – 0 defeat to the frontrunners Mgarr United in the senior league. Meanwhile, Valletta did not fair any better against Hibernians, walking home with a 7 – 0 defeat. While both have over the weeks highlighted and given insight into their own challenges, the two coaches were questioned on what they deem to be the biggest gap to the top teams faced.
San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri gave a broad comparative view of the league and suggested experience of sides in the league is making a difference, “This year’s league is tougher, it showed from the start. However, it is much less entertaining since there are less teams and it is also difficult to maintain consistency against teams that have been doing well for a number of seasons when you compare to us, who are still in our infancy.”
Valletta’s Anton Cremona underlined the impact of consecutive big defeats for his side, “In all honesty after the match against Hibernians, my focus has been on finding a way to lift the morale and motivation in the team, as a lot has been going against us and the morale is very low. Every match we’re having to change things and the 135-minute rule isn’t helping either.”
Squad Depth
The two sides have numerous players signed, with both also making headway in the Assikura Women’s Youth League. However, both have had their own injuries to also deal with.
Julian Camilleri suggested that the break didn’t serve much good news in terms of bringing back depth, “We have the same players available. The injuries are lengthy and we won’t see some players until next year or until the very end. With our U21 players we are still hampered by the 135-minute rule. So, it’s a problem that we must keep fighting and finding solutions for week by week.”
Having raised the concern of needing some signings, Anton Cremona was also probed about the possibility of recruitment over the January window. He replied in the affirmative, “Yes, we’re looking to add players to our ranks. Although we have several U21 players who are promising, we are missing the experience in the senior league.”
A Draw That Satisfied No One
The two teams huffed and puffed in their first encounter, in a delightful open match that had plenty of goalmouth action. However, neither had the finishing touch to bring home the result.
Julian Camilleri believes that his team must stick to their philosophy and show their football in order to get home the result, “We must be disciplined and believe that we can play football. We have been working on a philosophy that I believe is the most effective for us for some time. Now it is up to us to utilise this in the match. It is a decisive one that has a big bearing on our prospects for the remainder of the season.”
Anton Cremona continued in a similar vein, underlining the impact that three points could have on lifting the team in view of the remainder of the season. “The match means much more for morale than it means for points. I think a positive result will encourage our players to continue working for the remainder of the season.”
The two sides will take to the pitch at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30.
Lead Image: Nicholas Falzon
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