Malta takes on Andorra in the final match from Group D2 of the UEFA Nations League at the National Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off at 20:45.
Following Moldova’s last-gasp winner against Andorra on Saturday, chances of Malta winning the group faded away as although a win for Davide Mazzotta’s side on Tuesday would put the boys in red on level points with Moldova with nine points from four matches but the former Soviet Republic prevails with a better record in the direct encounters.
Despite there being no pressure to claim the three points as the runner-up spot is guaranteed, Mazzotta made it clear that the team’s objective on Tuesday would be to claim the three points.
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Caruana
“We are preparing well, trying to get the best out of the players, pushing hard as always. We always try to improve with players can express themselves with maximum commitment. Slowing down was never part of my philosophy. Even when we are tired, we still try to get the best of the remaining energy.”
The way Moldova scored the winning goal in Andorra deep into stoppage time meant that Malta could no longer hope for the top spot in the group. Instead, a League C/D play-off awaits Malta where the opponent in March 2026 will probably be one team between Latvia and Luxembourg.
“Of course, there was some regret but it has been overcome. We were following the game but unfortunately, the dream faded away. Now we must focus on ourselves … try to do our best to beat Andorra for prestige, for our eagerness to win, for the joy of winning. We would like to reach the nine-point mark.”
“If someone aims to be a winner, he could not think of this game as one which is not important. We know that there is a lot at stake in every match and we should not disappoint ourselves.”
When asked regarding the difficulty, the team is finding sometimes to score, the interim Malta coach said “Sometimes, it does not only depend on us. There are teams that prevent certain types of play, there are teams that defend low and others a bit higher. Even Manchester City sometimes find it difficult when other teams defend, let alone us. However, we are trying to find other solutions. We have ideas that we have not consolidated yet. I feel that the players still think about what is required from them … they do not do it automatically. Therefore the action slows down, you would fail to control the ball well because you are looking for a team mate, etc. These mechanisms need to be oiled. You need a lot of patience.”
“The objective remains to be growth … players need to be able to understand each other and everyone must know what they have to do and how they have to do it,” added Mazzotta.
“It may look silly but for me, this is a very important game. I want to see the team on level points with Moldova. I like to win. A friend of mine used to be unable to sleep after a game if he failed to win a game. I have not slept for days while thinking about this game.”
Davide Mazzotta said he was expecting an aggressive game by Andorra.
“I am expecting an agressive game. That is their style of play. They try to make you play badly and then counter-attack. They are a very agressive team, a very determined side, a tough team. We know this and therfore we must never let our guard down. We cannot afford any lack of concentration. When we have ball possession, we need to be fast in moving the ball as otherwise they will come upon us and possibly, ruin our plans. We know their strategy, we know what we have to do to try to create the opportunities to score. We know how difficult sometimes it is to score, let alone if we allow them to score, how much more difficult it would be.”
Hibernians forward Jurgen Degabriele, who helped Malta make its mark in the friendly match against Liechtenstein, also insisted that the team will be going out in search of the three points.
“We need to go out on the field of play to win. For us, this game still means a lot. We will go out to win to finish our commitments on nine points, just like Moldova, although this would still not be enough due to the goal-difference. The motivation is high enough to go out in search of the three points.”
“These have been two difficult years but I do respect the choices made by coaches. It was something I could not control. I could only control my performances. I am happy for being given this chance and I think that I did what was required from me. My aim has always been that of being utilised on a more regular basis, not just forming part of the squad.”
Malta played Andorra six times with the first three matches ending in draws – a 1-1 draw in match from the Rothmans Tournament in 2000, a 1-1 draw in a friendly match n 2002 and a goalless draw in the the away match from the UEFA Nations League in October 2020. In November 2020, Malta won 3-1 at Ta’ Qali and last September, Malta won narrowly in Andorra la Vella. The last two matches were also part of the UEFA Nations League.
Andorra lost eight of the ten matches played in 2023 and seven of the nine matches played in 2024. In this UEFA Nations League campaign, they are still chasing their first point despite giving Moldova a hard-time in both fixtures and going close to equalising more than once in the 0-1 defeat to Malta.