Micovic, Zammit aim to maintain positive runs
Marco Micovic and Paul Zammit, Balzan and Birkirkara mentors respectively, are aiming to see their team maintaining their positive runs as the two teams face each other in a very important match tomorrow afternoon.
Addressing a news conference early this afternoon, both coaches admitted that it will be ‘another match’ though possibly more important than some others.
Both said they will be under pressure because at this stage of the competition, matches become even more difficult.
Micovic said: “Of course, there will be huge pressure on us, especially as we are the leaders, but I think it will be more or less the same pressure as we had for the first round game which we won 2-1.”
Zammit was more cautious. He said: “All matches provide pressure for us. Without pressure, football is non-existent. Of course, we are aware we cannot slip. We have a lot of respect for our opponents. They have strength in depth, but we will be doing our best to win the three points.”
The Stripes coach was full of praise for his players who helped the club move out of that disastrous start to the season into the present third place.
“We intend consolidating what we have built during this run, but although our concentration will be on Saturday’s match, we cannot ignore the fact that we can also be overtaken by Gzira, Floriana and Hibernians who are also chasing an Europa League berth next season,” he said.
Micovic did not agree with reporters that Balzan made a partial slip against Gzira after a goalless draw last Monday.
“It was not a slip. Gzira are a serious team. They are a team not easy to beat and have been chasing the top places all season. In football, on some occasions, the favourites do not win.
“My compliments to the Birkirkara squad and their coach, Paul Zammit, for their fantastic run. But despite that, we still intend to go out there and win all the three points to move a step closer to the club’s first League title,” he said.
Debutant Muscat and Doncic now facing each other on the bench
Hibs debutant coach Mario Muscat and City’s Danilo Doncic will be facing each other on the respective clubs’ benches as the two teams meet on Sunday in another important clash.
In the past, they had played on several occasions against each other – when Muscat was Hibernians goalkeeper and Doncic was Valletta’s top striker.
Muscat is making his debut in his relatively new coaching career at a top club after the Paolites decided to give the sack to Mark Miller.
“I have taken over at a difficult time for the club. But I must take this opportunity to thank both Mark Miller and his assistant Josef Mansueto for having led the club to so many successes during the past two years when they were at the helm,” he said.
Muscat said he is aware of the difficult task ahead of him, starting with Sunday’s match.
“But I know I have inherited a very good squad and I am confident my players can rise to the occasion and win the match. We are aware that we still have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, perhaps even through a 4th place in the League. So we will not throw in the towel so easily.
“The squad is capable of handling such a situation. Most probably there will be some changes to the line-up, but not drastic changes,” he added.
On his part, Doncic said the match offers Valletta a great challenge.
“We will have the advantage of knowing the Balzan match result as they play a day earlier. It is true we are struggling to score goals, but I am convinced that the team is moving in the right track. We are very well prepared for this tough match. We wish to win the three points,” he added.