by Swieqi United and Mtarfa will be concluding the double-header at Mgarr Ground, with the match starting at 17:30. With plenty of players in both teams playing also in the Youth League, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma reflected on the efforts to develop players in balance with maintaining competitive momentum. Gaetano Papaleo admitted his team will be boosted with a significant return, despite awareness of the quality that his team face this afternoon.
Assessing Recent Performances
Swieqi United and Mtarfa will meet this evening, with the sides heading in opposing trajectories. The Owls are looking to consolidate more points, on the back of their strongest victory yet, a 5-0 win over Lija Athletic.
Dorianne Theuma weighed in on the encounter in which the side managed to effectively break down a frustrating Lija Athletic setup at Dingli Ground. She said, “The team was well aware that against Lija they had to recognise the space, and find the right time to penetrate their organised defensive line. I believe we had a good game and players showed maturity in the way they played and handled the situation.”
On the other hand, Mtarfa appeared as if they could spring a surprise early on against Valletta, with Clara Linnea Westerlund leading the charge. However, the Blues could not capitalise, ultimately falling to a 5-0 defeat themselves.
Gaetano Papaleo’s was defensive in his assessment, “Against Valletta we started brightly, but then after we paid for the numerous absences and continuous injuries that torment us.”
Handling Young Teams With Ambition
The two teams head into the fixture with several players also engaged in the Assikura Women’s Youth League. Probed about the balance of developing players and their style of play, in conjunction with the rest of the technical staff, Dorianne Theuma underscored the challenges it brings and the teamwork required.
The Swieqi United coach said, “Our biggest challenge this season is juggling the games of the senior and U19 teams. As you said, the majority of the U19 squad play with the senior team. We train together for most of the week and adopt the same philosophy across both teams. U19s coach, Mandy Debono, is also one of my assistants at senior level which helps not only us coaching staff prioritise players according to that match week, but also in keeping familiar coaching faces for player across age groups.”
Assessing the trajectory, Dorianne Theuma continued, “I think our methods are working, as the youths are showing great commitment during the week, despite such a demand from them. Although we try to keep consistency from one game to another, giving the opportunity to different players will always be part of our philosophy.”
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo has admitted to the challenges in facing teams with a significant number of players who also compete in the U19 league in the past and a side with limited numbers. Against Valletta the team missed one of their more experienced players in Eliza Csik which the Italian is looking to recover for the match against Swieqi United, “Fortunately we have recovered Eliza, who is a crucial player.”
Match Expectations
With Mtarfa yet to register a point this season, the onus will be on Swieqi United to gain the points once more, with the added hurdles provided by playing at Mgarr Ground.
Probed about whether a shuffled line-up is to be expected against the Blues, Dorianne Theuma is approaching the match like any other, “I am a coach who will always choose the best available first eleven. Our game against Mtarfa is an opportunity for all players to build on their previous performance. However as stated before, in view of a demanding calendar we might have some changes due to injuries and players needing to rest. Despite this, our game-plan will not change. We will continuously build on our consistency game by game.”
Meanwhile, Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo praised the quality of Swieqi United while urging his team to put their best foot forward, “On Swieqi, nothing much to say, except that it is a team of young and quality players that offer a really nice game to watch. We will try our best.”
The two teams will take to the Mgarr Ground at 17:30, following the clash between Hibernians & San Gwann (15:00).
Lead Image: Dorienne Grech
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