Malta takes on Andorra in the first game from the UEFA Nations League D1 at the Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp on Thursday, kick-off at 1800.
This will be Malta’s fifth participation in the competition. After finishing bottom of the group in the first edition in 2018 – in a group which featured Kosovo, Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands, Malta had to settle for a second place in the other three editions – behind Faroe Islands in 2020, behind Estonia in 2022 and behind Moldova in 2024. Then earlier this year, Malta lost 0-5 on aggregate to Luxembourg in the play-off against Luxembourg.
With the format of the competitions being changed to three leagues each with three groups, Malta will be promoted automatically, no matter the placing but certainly, pride will be at stake in the matches against Andorra and Gibraltar.
In fact, while addressing the media on Wednesday, Malta head coach Emilio De Leo said “The format has certainly changed, but this is my first time participating in the competition, so both the team and I would be pleased to achieve this goal. We began our work about a year and a half ago, and during that time, we have managed to send out some important signals.“
“It is another milestone we need to reach—one we had set for ourselves. Clearly, this applies to the Nations League campaign, regardless of the format or the technical and sporting aspects involved. I believe we have both the desire and the duty to see this through with determination and seriousness, but I also think we need to earn it.“
“I’ve mentioned recently that there are many players who began this Nations League journey several editions ago. For them—and especially in light of the work they’ve put in over the years—achieving this latest goal will be a source of great satisfaction. Returning to the match itself: we know we are facing a home team that possesses significant technical quality and strong determination; they are a very quick side with a clear game plan.“
“Naturally, as always, we respect our opponent. We know there will be moments when we need to be smart—tightening up our shape, for instance—because every match presents its own pitfalls and challenges. But I repeat: we are determined. We are confident that we are a strong, growing group—one that possesses both great character and significant technical ability—and tomorrow evening, we want to start demonstrating that.”
The squad gathered on Monday and travelled to Andorra, via Barcelona where they had the opportunity for a training session on Tuesday morning before arriving in their final destination of Andorra later in the day.
“We haven’t had much time to prepare together recently, but the situation facing all national teams during this period must not serve as an excuse—not from any perspective.“
“I believe we are working in line with our identity; even just a few hours of training have allowed us to revisit our playing principles, so there are no doubts on that front.”
When asked to comment regarding the fact that the number of players based abroad, including Teddy Teuma, has decreased considerably after deciding to move back to Malta, De Leo said “Some players have returned—Teddy being one of them—and I think personal assessments and considerations lie behind every decision, factors that might not be obvious to an outside observer. I have always respected these decisions and discussed them with the players, though always in the most measured and prudent way possible.”
“I focus on the positive aspect: clearly, we are now always close to each other. We can interact constantly, monitor their progress, and maintain a continuous flow of feedback with both the players and their club coaches. In a way, I don’t mind them spending so much time with me; I know it benefits them—not just technically, but personally too. You only have to see how, during the season, some of the lads spend time together and then reunite with the national team as if they’d never been apart. That’s a wonderful thing that certainly boosts our team spirit..”
“In my view, we need to be mentally and physically ready for this kind of match. If we stick to our game plan and give 100%, we have the quality to win, though we obviously expect a tough game—we’ve come here to secure the points.”
Teddy Teuma added “We expect a tough game. It’s never easy to compare, to take some points.
So, in my opinion, we have to be ready mentally and physically to play this kind of game, and if we respect the plan, and we give 100%, we have the quality to win this game, but, of course, we expect a tough game, and we come here to take some points.”
The Malta squad is made up of twenty six players, namely
Goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Sliema Wanderers FC), Rashed Al Tumi (Birkirkara FC), James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG).
Defenders Zach Muscat (Birkirkara FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Kean Scicluna (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Myles Beerman (Floriana FC).
Midfielders Matthew Guillaumier (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Alexander Satariano (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Sliema Wanderers FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC).
Forwards Paul Mbong (Floriana FC), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC – SUI), Jake Grech (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne – FRA), Basil Tuma (Aldershot Town – ENG), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC), Andrea Zammit (Valletta FC).
In fact, the only foreign-based players are goalkeeper James Sissons, Ilyas Chouaref, Irvin Cardona and Basil Tuma.
Joseph Mbong is missing as he serves a one-match ban.
This will be the seventh clash between Malta and Andorra, the third away from home for Malta. Malta won twice with the other four matches ending in draws. In the previous matches in Andorra, Malta drew 0-0 in October 2020 and won 1-0 in September 2024.
Andorra played five friendly matches earlier this year, losing 2-0 to Montenegro away from home, a draw with San Marino away from home, , a narrow defeat to Iraq in Spain, a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein at home and a 3-0 defeat to Kosovo away from home.
On the other hand, Malta lost 0-2 and 3-0 to Luxembourg in the UEFA Nations League play-off and following a 2-1 defeat to Slovakia away from home, Malta defeated Azerbaijan 2-0 n Hungary last June.
The match against Andorra will be the first of four matches in this international window. Malta will host Liechtenstein in a friendly match on Sunday and then will host Gibraltar on October 1 and Andorra on October 4 at the National Stadium.
Photos courtesy of Malta FA
