by San Gwann will be welcoming Valletta at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15 tonight. Julian Camilleri & Jean Lopes gave their assessments on matches where their teams secured the wins albeit on shaky ground. The two teams are looking toward better showings, with Valletta seeking a first victory over the standout San Gwann this season.
Three Points & Targeting Improvements
The two sides come into the match with three points in the bag from their last matches, but neither win was plain sailing.
San Gwann’s early lead was cancelled by Lija Athletic, but the Yellows ultimately pushed through to win by 4-1. Julian Camilleri did not shy away from the topsy-turvy manner in which his team secured the points, “I think we started a bit shakily, perhaps we were a bit overconfident and failed to make the most of our chances in the first half. We started off the second-half in a bad way and conceded the goal. Perhaps I applied a bit too much pressure during the half-time team-talk. However, we found our way back to secure the win in the end.”
The side has not conceded too many goals against their bottom four rivals this year, and improved their overall scores against top four teams in general. Questioned about achieving a better goal difference, while also managing mixed levels of experience in defence, San Gwann’s coach spoke in view of the season’s objectives, “Last year we finished in sixth place and had around a negative goal difference of about 40. This year our objective was to finish in fifth place and finish with at least a negative goal difference of 30.”
Indeed the side has actually succeeded far more, with a current negative goal difference of just 8 goals. In fact, Julian Camilleri explained that the team is aiming even higher, “Considering where we stand, our target has changed to finish in fifth, but achieve a positive goal difference. We will then look to see what we aim for next year.”
Meanwhile, Valletta saw plenty of the ball against Mtarfa, but ultimately secured only a 1 – 0 victory and through an own goal. Appearing to struggle to string quality football at times, Jean Lopes was questioned whether he feels the performances have been an issue of attitude or whether it is a case of being patient with the transition process.
The Brazilian replied, “We know that the team is going through a transition and it is natural for certain mistakes to be made during the match or for there to be a lack of connection between the athletes. However, as you mentioned, sometimes the lack of attitude and personality is unacceptable and this is something we always try to work on. It all starts with the mindset and when the mindset does not change, the attitudes do not change.”
Noting that captain Anna Aloisio is among the more vocal in a starkly quiet squad, the Valletta coach was questioned about his expectations of players to push each other on the pitch. Jean Lopes shed light on the efforts to build every aspect of the team.
He said, “This is something we try to work on daily. Our team has extraordinary technical quality but it is a very quiet team. Few players talk to each other, guide each other, communicate on the field. Anna (Aloisio), Monique (Sultana), Laura (Muscat) and Sabrin (Blihi) are our captains for exercising this type of leadership. However, we need everyone to learn that football is a team sport, where everyone needs to help each other in all aspects, with and without the ball.”
Will Valletta Manage To Down San Gwann?
The tables have turned this season, with San Gwann walking away with four points out of the available six, and winning the second round match with an exceptionally good first half in which they dominated the score by 4 – 0.
Asked whether he believes his team can replicate the performance, Julian Camilleri urged his team to go into the match with the right attitude. “As I said we’ve got clear objectives to win matches and with a convincing score. So, we want to win the match and be consistent throughout it. We must not repeat the events of the last encounter against Valletta, where we were strong in the first half and then tapered off in the second half. Doing that will get us into trouble.”
Meanwhile, despite having a tougher time of things against San Gwann, Valletta’s Jean Lopes also backs his side to turn things around and secure a first victory against the Yellows this season. He said, “Of course, I will always believe in my team! San Gwann, as I have always mentioned, is a team very well prepared by coach Julian (Camilleri). However, we worked hard during the week and we know that regardless of the circumstances we live in, if we play to our full potential we can provide a good duel against our opponents.”
The two sides are due to kick off matchday 17 of the Assikura Women’s League this evening at the Centenary Stadium, at 20:15.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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