Balzan aware of Kesla threat
Ahead of today's UEFA Europa League first qualifying round, first leg match between Balzan and Azerbaijan's Kesla, head coach Marco Micovic stated that possible qualification to a further round in the competition is very much in his side's objectives.
"No doubt we will do out utmost to eliminate Kesla and move further in the competition. That is our objective. We are confident and are not afraid of our opponents. We have analysed well our opponents and will try to exploit their weaknesses accordingly to get a good result on home soil. We all believe in this squad and in this club. Our 10-day training camp in Slovenia was very beneficial for various reasons. We played two friendly matches there agains NK Rijeka against whom we lost 2-1 and then won against Vardar of Macedonia 4-2. It is with this mentality that we played against Vardar, that we have to face Kesla. Balzan are one of the top clubs in Malta as per regards professional structure" stated Micovic
Team captain Steve Bezzina also spoke about his club's chances of moving further in the competion.
"First and foremost I would like to thanks the club and the coach for the trust in handing me the captain's armband. Rest assured this motivates me even more. Regarding last season's disappointments well we have brushed these aside and moved on. We are fully concentrated on getting the best of performances and results in both legs against Kesla"
Balzan though will have to endure a long, tiring 2,934 km, four hour trip (shortest trip) for the second leg in Azerbaijan next week before knowing their fate against the Azeris.
Match is being played at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, kick-off time 18:00 hours local time.