Following a narrow win over Moldova last month, Malta hosts Liechtenstein in a friendly match at the National Stadium on Thursday, kick-off at 19:00.
A game which should serve as preparation ahead of what could be a crucial UEFA Nations League match against Andorra at the National Stadium on Tuesday. With Malta and Moldova tied on six points, the two teams are fighting for the top spot in League D2. Moldova faces Andorra on Saturday and a win is enough for them to win the group, considering a better record in the direct encounters with Malta. A draw or a win for Andorra would leave a chance for Malta to win the group. However, on paper, even Andorra could win the group, should they beat Moldova by at least three goals and then beat Malta in the final game.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, interim Malta coach Davide Mazzotta spoke about the importance of this game.
“We face friendly games and competitive games in the same way. We cannot afford to lower the guard a bit. We are a team that is rebuilding itself … a team which is including new elements and therefore we cannot lower our guard or lack concentration. We need to work hard with great determination.”
“The only difference of the Liechtenstein game from that of Andorra is that one is a competitive game and the other is not but both are of utmost importance for us. “
“We have to face this game with great humility. There would be some changes .. some of which are forced changes, others are tactical changes and others are due to players who deserve to play. There are players who have come a long way and therefore need some more time to recover or have just recovered from injuries. Whoever gets down on the pitch, should give his maximum commitment.”
Enrico Pepe, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Steven Pisani are back in the squad after missing the last game due to injuries but players like Steve Borg, Jodi Jones and Luke Montebello are still sidelined with injuries. Australian-born Dylan Scicluna, who had received his maiden call with the senior national team after playing for the Under-19 and Under-21 national teams, also had to withdraw from the squad due to an injury.
When asked whether he was worried that some members of the national team are not getting enough playing time, Mazzotta said he was not worried as these players are motivated to do well.
“I am not worried because when they come to the national team, they are more motivated. It is true that we need to do more focussed work due to the fact that they have few minutes playing time as during a match, they could get a bit more tired. But it is a fact that motivation is far more important than the possible tiredness.”
“Over the past days, the players worked really hard considering the wet pitches due to the heavy rainfall. They never complain about getting tired.”
Sliema Wanderers defender Jean Borg added that the atmosphere in the Malta squad ahead of these two games was good.
“We have worked with this coaching staff before. We know what is required from us.
Last month, we had a short training time but now we are getting more into details. Tomorrow’s match is very important. It is not just a friendly game as it matters also for the rankings and a good practice match ahead of the game against Andorra.”
The squad at the disposal of Davide Mazzotta is made up of:
Goalkeepers
Henry Bonello (Hamrun Spartans FC), Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MOL), Matthew Grech (Zabbar St Patrick FC)
Defenders
Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Luke Tabone (Haverfordwest County AFC – WA), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Gzira United FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gzira United FC)
Midfielders
Shaisen Attard (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Matias Nicolas Garcia (Floriana FC), Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Nikolai Muscat (Marsaxlokk FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FR), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Joseph Essien Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC)
Forwards
Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Kemar Reid (Floriana FC), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Brescia Calcio – IT), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading U21 – EN), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana FC)
Malta and Liechtenstein faced each other five times with Malta emerging as winner on four occasions – a 7-1 win in March 2008, a 2-1 win in February 2012, a 0-1 win away from home in November 2012 and a 3-0 win in November 2020.
Liechtenstein are currently bottom of Group D1 after losing to San Marino away from home and two draws – a 2-2 draw with Gibraltar away from home and a goalless draw with Gibraltar at home. In 2024, they registered their only win in a friendly match over Hong Kong. They suffered defeats to the Faroe Islands and Albania in two friendly matches, holding Latvia and Romania in two draws in another two friendly matches