After defeating Andorra 2-1 away from home in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League Group D1 and a 2-0 win in a friendly match over Liechtenstein, Malta takes on Gibraltar in another match from the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, kick-off at 20:45.
Another important match for Malta in the bid to win Group D1, a week after the game in Andorra and three days before Malta hosts Andorra at home.
Photos courtesy of Malta FA
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Malta coach Emilio De Leo said “We studied the opponent a lot and as I always say we must have a positive approach from all points of view, but at the same time, with a lot of humility.”
“We are facing a team that has its own playing identity, a team that has given Andorra so much difficulty. We must be careful to limit their qualities, this is a point we must take into consideration but, on the other hand, we must look at ourselves. Looking at ourselves means improving what we were unable to express with great continuity in the Andorra match.”
“We talked to the guys about our intensity, which means technique, pressure, ball recovery, which means the way we play, show personality. We know well that tomorrow from the first minute we should offer the best version of Malta and this is our first objective.”
The game against Gibraltar is the second match from three from Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League in ten days.
“We have to take it one match at a time; our goal for every game is to perform as well as possible and to win. We aim to tackle each step gradually, and then we will take stock of the situation to see if we have succeeded in reaching that goal. With great respect and humility, we must look at what we can improve and what we haven’t fully delivered; if we manage to do that, we can build consistency and achieve a goal that everyone is eagerly awaiting.”
The full squad will be at the disposal of the Malta coach.
“All players are available. Luckily there were no injuries. We managed to work well in the giving playing time to all players. Those who played in Andorra, for example, recovered well. Those who played on Sunday are fully recovering. We have no problems in that aspect, in fact we are spoiled for choice. Today we have the last finishing session and that will also be used to resolve the last doubts, then tonight there will be yet another meeting. We always take until the last minute to decide. “
De Leo stressed that there is no first team and second team. “I don’t want to divide the two teams, the one that played against Andorra and the one that played after, we are one team, there is only one Malta.”
“In the Andorra match, the guys who were included as substitutes did very well, they gave a big clear hand on the pitch. In the last match the boys who started from the first minute gave great quality, great intensity. We are one team, we try to have the last training session and tomorrow from the first minute on the pitch there will be the best possible version.”
When asked about possible changes to the line-up for Thursday’s game, De Leo said “In these two games, everyone stepped up and we now have even clearer ideas.”
“It means raising the atmosphere, training better, having a good intensity in your work. Even the atmosphere in moments when we are not working and are on retreat. All this gives positive vibes. Tomorrow there will be the best possible formation also based on what they have demonstrated and expressed. We have a game tomorrow, but then we have another one three days later.”
“Everyone will have to be available between tomorrow and Sunday, everyone will have to continue to make their contribution. The best satisfaction for a coach and for those who lead a group, is when everyone finds their dimension, feels like a protagonist.”
Referring to Gibraltar, the Malta coach said “They are a team that tries to play and doesn’t give up trying the talents they have on the pitch. Certainly from this point of view we should be very careful, but we must not fall into the trap of slowing down the pace or falling into the traps they will throw at us.”
“We have to be good in our way, have a high pace, get the balls to the areas where we are most dangerous. Our goal is to play our game. Our goal is to protect ourselves and get the ball to our highest quality and most talented players in the best positions.”
A win on Thursday would put Malta a step closer to winning the group although no matter what happens, Malta will be playing in League C in the 2028/29 UEFA Nations League due to the change of format of the competition which will now be divided into three leagues, each with three groups of six teams. Asked what he thought about the level of the teams in League C, De Leo said “I don’t think there is a huge difference, it’s clear that what’s important is knowing you won’t make any mistakes. When we played Luxembourg, we had a good first game, but the moment we failed to score, we were immediately punished. We know that if we move up in group C it will require us to perform even better, not to make mistakes, to be more cynical.”
“This UEFA Nations League comes to the end of my first year and a half of work, this must be our time. We also need to make mistakes, because as always mistakes mean growing, now we are aware but we have to demonstrate that on the pitch.”
Meanwhile Malta international forward Irvin Cardona who scored the opening goal in the game in Andorra stressed that victory was the most important thing.
“Scoring can help with confidence, but every striker wants to score and gain confidence. However, the victory is the most important thing. We are not here for our personal statistics.”
This will be the fourth match between Malta and Gibraltar and only the first competitive match.
Gibraltar had defeated Malta 1-0 in a friendly match in Faro, Portugal in June 2014 but in two friendly matches at the National Stadium, Malta won 2-0 in October 2020 and 1-0 in September 2023.
After losing the UEFA Nations League Play-Off to Latvia, losing both at home and away with identical 0-1 scores in March, Gibraltar defeated the British Virgin Islands 4-0 and the Cayman Islands 4-1 in June and following a goalless draw with São Tomé and Príncipe last week, they were held in a goalless draw at home by Andorra.
Malta vs Gibraltar will be controlled by officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely referee Antoni Bandić, assisted by Damir Lazić and Amer Macić, fourth official Mateo Musa, VAR Luka Bilbija and Assistant VAR Nihad Ljajic.