Malta coach Emilio De Leo rued the missed chances, saying the team needed to improve on details after Luxembourg emerged as winners by two goals to nil in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League C/D Play-Off at the National Stadium on Thursday.
A goal early in the second half by Vincent Thill put them ahead before Mathias Olesen doubled the score three minutes in added time. Definitely, two goals which could have easily been avoided.
Speaking after the game, Malta coach Emilio De Leo said “The second goal is certainly a shame because it the game ended 0-1 and left us with an even better chance of staying in the race for qualification. However, I told the team that we showed we can compete at this level. I think we played against a team from League C, but we made it clear we can get there. This was the first half. The team will approach the match to turn things around. It’s clear we have a few days to improve on the things we didn’t do well tonight. “
“We definitely could have capitalised on our chances better, but unfortunately, we weren’t very good in the few situations we conceded; I don’t even want to say our opponents were lucky. Luxembourg’s superiority is that of a team that comes from a different background, from a different ranking, with players who play in the Champions League. There’s certainly a certain quality in the opponents we faced, but I repeat what I’ve already said: we showed we can compete.”
“I don’t feel like criticising or contesting our performance, I feel like saying that to be ready, we need to improve on the details. Details are the final step, they’re the conclusion, because on several occasions we probably could have been better, more effective. And on the other hand, obviously those details, even if it’s just the corner or simply not being there for the first goal, are details, but they make a difference, but they also make you understand that you can compete. Because if you have some details that didn’t go well, it means that maybe you approached the rest well, you played it openly, also respecting an opponent who has their qualities. However, I think we also expressed some important situations that we must certainly repeat in the return match.”
“I have no doubt that the boys are positive, have the right approach, and have the desire to turn things around, to try. I have absolutely no doubts. This is my goal, regardless of the fact that results clearly dictate conclusions and judgments. But that’s part of the football world, and if you want it in football, you have to accept that too. My job is to give it my all and make it clear that Malta, as I believe they have done against many opponents—always, I believe, almost always—of a higher ranking, played openly and gave everything they had, trying to express their qualities, not to speculate, to try until the very last moment. This is our mission, this is our duty, and I want to say, I’ll be satisfied if the team has expressed its full potential this time too, until the very last moment. I believe in it because we’ve shown that these are two teams with balanced thinking. We also had some good performances tonight against opponents who certainly have significant international experience, but we’re still in the game. Today they took home the first leg, and it’ll be our job to put in an even better performance than we did tonight. But we have to try until the end to get back on track and see how things play out.”
“We should take responsibility as always. Me personally and the team will take responsibility if we could have done more, but we definitely have to come out with our heads held high this time too.”
Photo courtesy of Malta FA