Women’s national team head-coach Manuela Tesse stressed that winning the UEFA Women’s Nations League group is the main objective while addressing a press conference on Tuesday.
The UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign kicks-off on Friday with an away match against Cyprus before Malta hosts Andorra at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday.
Tesse said that after winning the UEFA Women’s Nations League group in 2023, the team is now more confident and it was of utmost importance to maintain this philosophy. She admitted that some important players are not available as they are ruled out injured but stressed that the players who replaced them are strong players.
Birkirkara defender Stephania Farrugia and Mgarr United midfielders Brenda Borg and Veronique Mifsud are all ruled out but goalkeeper Janice Xuereb and Amber Grech are back in squad while Jana Barbara of FC Schalke 04, Fiona Buttigieg of Luton Town and Oceane Grange of French club RC Roubaix Wervicq received the first call-up.
Manuela Tesse said she has been following the new players for quite some time and is glad the level of domestic league improved a lot.
The Malta women’s national team head-coach said “We want to win although of course, the pitch will decide. However we will be there for sure.”
Tesse said that apart from the senior side, the Under-16 team will be taking part in a UEFA Development Tournament and then, the Under-17 national team will play three matches from the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan in March against Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile while the senior team would be playing against Georgia in April – away on April 4 and at home on April 8, the Under-19s would be involved in matches from the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship against Kosovo, Latvia and Kazakhstan.
The senior team plays the final two games against Cyprus at home on May 30 and Andorra away from home on June 3.
Manuela Tesse said that facing strong teams, especially for the youths, help improve their level.
With regards to the participation in the Women’s European Qualifiers, which saw Malta being relegated once again to League C following the promotion obtained in the UEFA Nations League the previous year, Tesse said that despite everything, Malta played good football.
“We were relegated but played very good football. We were not ready due to lack of experience at that level.”
“On paper, in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, we are facing weaker sides. Sometimes we underestimate how strong we are. We need to be aware we are not the underdogs.”
“Before the UEFA Women’s Nations League, we chose to play against two strong teams – Italy and Hungary – Hungary ranked 46th and Italy 13th. We chose these teams because we need to continue improving.”