Valletta, Floriana share spoils in derby

Eternal rivals Valletta and Floriana shared the spoils in a goalless draw at the National Stadium on Saturday.

A result which leaves the two teams in third and fourth place respectively on 30 and 29 points respectively.

Valletta had two changes from the team which drew with Balzan as Valdo Goncalves Alhino and Luke Montebello replaced Argentinian duo Santiago Malano and Federico Falcone. Ryan Camenzuli and Ignacio Varela, on the other hand, replaced Enrico Pepe and Amadou Samb.

The Greens had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty on the 14th minute after a defender handled the ball inside the area. However Nicolas Chiesa’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by goalkeeper Dziugas Bartkus who turned the ball into a corner.

A few minutes later, a Jhonnattann diagonal shot scraped past the post.

Late in the game, Ignacio Varela went close for the Greens but Dziugas Bartkus performed another good save.

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VALLETTA Dziugas Bartkus, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Michael Mifsud, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho, Luke Montebello (69′ Uchenna Calistus Umeh), Llywelyn Cremona (76′ Jean Borg), Claudio Pani, Leandro Aguirre, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (84′ Romeu Pericles Romao).
Subs not used: Henry Bonello, Leon Camilleri, Russell Fenech, Nicholas Pulis.
Coach: Paul Zammit

FLORIANA Justin Haber, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (71′ Antonio Monticelli), Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella, Ryan Camenzuli.
Subs not used: Matthew Grech, Jake Davies, Mattia Zarb, Gustavo Amadio, Brooke Farrugia, Daniel Agius.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: S. Pisani, R. Camenzuli (F), C. Pani (V)
BOV Player of the Match: Dzjugas Bartkus (V)
Attendance: 1,419