Valletta came back from a goal down to beat Zabbar St. Patrick 4-2 in a match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
Zabbar went twice ahead but each time, Valletta equalised, scoring two quick-fire goals late in the game to secure the three points.
The Citizens had new signings Manuel Morello and Alex Tanque, along with substitutes Petar Sekulovic and Bruno Gomes making their first league appearance.
Zabbar, on the other hand, had no less than six players making their debut in their starting line-up, namely goalkeeper Patrik Mohorovic, Nicolas Lancioni, Joao Mafra, Tobias Moriceau and Adnan Basic. Another three players who joined the club this summer, Thomas Melillo, Shelom Magri and Kaiden Fenech, were included as substitutes.
The Saints managed to take the lead on 17 minutes when Nicolas Lancioni concluded a solo effort with a powerful drive from outside the area which gave goalkeeper Adilson Maringa no chance.
Valletta equalised on 33 minutes thanks to an Andrea Zammit penalty after he was brought down inside the area by Zven Polidano.
Seven minutes later, Zabbar regained the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Lancioni was floored by goalkeeper Adilson Maringa inside the area and Mario Fontanella converted from the penalty spot.
Valletta restored equilibrium on 62 minutes when substitute Neil Micallef headed the ball home off a Petar Sekulovic corner from the right.
Valletta made it 3-2 on 79 minutes thanks to another Andrea Zammit penalty after Strahinja Jovancic floored substitute Bruno Gomes inside the area.
Two minutes later, the Citizens extended the lead when Alex Tanque served Diogo Tavares on the left and the latter’s shot was not held by the Żabbar custodian to end at the back of the net.
