Valletta win also in San Marino

After winning 2-0 at the Hibernians Stadium last week, Valletta made sure to qualify to the second round of the UEFA Europa League, after they defeated 1-0 SS Folgore of San Marino, to set up a clash with Utrecht of Holland next week.

The performance of Valletta wasn’t five star, but they did enough to beat their opponents, who failed for the first time to score in both games in their short european history.

Valletta coach Zoran Popovic kept faith in the same eleven players, that won last week while Folgore made only two changes from last week’s defeat.

Valletta’s first real action came after 16 minutes, with a good run by Michael Mifsud on the left, but Folgore goalkeeper Luca Bianchi saved into a corner.

Four minutes later, Valletta had another action from a counter-attack by Santiago Malano, who advanced a passed in the space to Maximiliano Velasco, but his first time shot was central and was saved by Bianchi.

Valletta failed to create any more immediate danger, and it was only on the 38th minute that they had another action.

Uchenna Umeh tried with a dangerous shot from the right on the first post, but Bianchi saved well the effort.

A minute later, Valletta had the best action of the half. It was a cross from the left by Joseph Zerafa, to Romeu Romao, but from close range, the header by the Brazilian bounced on the ground and finished over the bar, with the goalkeeper beaten.

Valletta almost paid for this chance, as two minutes before the break, Folgore had a huge chance that could have changed the game.

Bernardi pressed and stole the ball from goalkeeper Henry Bonello from outside the box, advanced and entered the penalty area, but his low shot in an empty net, failed to hit the target.

Valletta started the second half better than they ended the first one, and took control of the game, but failed to create any serious danger, with their opponents operating with rare counter-attacks.

The Citizens scored the much needed goal that would guarantee qualification. It came on the 65th minute with a free-kick by Santiago Malano, that hit the crossbar, touched the back of goalkeeper Bianchi and entered in the net.