Back in Europe's premier competition after a lapse of seven years, Valletta are spurred on by a desire to give a good account of themselves despite their knowledge that Slovakia's Artmedia Petrzalka are widely regarded as sure favourites to reach the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
A sound performance and a positive result on home territory could hold the key to a satisfactory outcome in European matches and that is exactly what Valletta will be aiming for today when they entertain Artmedia at the National Stadium (kick-off 8 p.m.).
As was the case in the two Euro Challenge Cup matches they played last week, Valletta will present an all-Maltese team for their two clashes with Artmedia who landed in Malta yesterday morning.
After a host of trialists failed to persuade coach Paul Zammit to offer them a contract, Valletta opted to sign a familiar name last week after they struck a deal with Msida St Joseph for the transfer of Cameroon forward Priso Doding.
However, Doding cannot play in the Champions League as he was signed after the deadline for clubs to name their squads for the first rounds of European matches.
Despite the shortage of 'foreign' power, Zammit is confident that his charges are capable of producing a strong showing tonight.
His optimism also stems from his side's creditable displays in their Euro Challenge Cup matches against Birkirkara (1-1) and Marsaxlokk (2-2).
"It's been known for some time now that our squad for the Champions League matches will be made up of Maltese players only," Zammit told The Times.
"We played without foreign players in the Euro Challenge Cup but I'm pleased with the performances which have strengthened my belief that our preparations for the season are on track.
"Our focus at present is the Champions League. We're fully aware of the pedigree of our opponents but this poses a challenge for us. We know that it will be difficult to qualify but that should not impede us from trying our best to leave a positive impression in both games.
"Our target is to make a good advert for Valletta FC and Maltese football in general."
Valletta were eliminated by Finnish side FC Haka in 2001-02 (0-0, 0-5), the last time the Whites figured in the Champions League.
Zammit is expected to select the same formation as in Valletta's 1-1 draw against Birkirkara yesterday week. Three of City's four new Maltese signings, Jamie Pace, Cleaven Frendo and Luke Dimech, are all set to play today.
Malta defender Kenneth Scicluna was rested last week to aid his recovery from a slight injury but he's available for selection. Not so for Jonathan Bondin who is still out with a nagging pelvis problem.
The Valletta coach intends to adopt a prudent approach for both matches against Artmedia but he was quick to point out that his players will be encouraged to attack when the moment is opportune.
"We have to get our tactics right," Zammit commented.
"We need to be disciplined and keep our tactical shape because we know that at this level, even the slightest mistake can prove costly. Experience has shown that Maltese teams tend to self-destruct after conceding a goal and we must avoid that happening to us.
"We need to close down the spaces but that doesn't mean that Valletta will renounce to attacking football. I believe in the potential of my team and I expect us to push forward when we have possession."
Zammit has not had the opportunity to watch Artmedia play but has assembled enough information to make him wary of the difficulty of the task awaiting his team.
"I've watched a couple of DVDs of Artmedia matches from last season," Zammit said.
"They are very strong physically and fast when they break on the counter. In Slovakia, Artmedia are seen as being a step ahead of the rest. They have a professional set-up and have made no secret of their ambition to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League for the second time in their history."
Astonishing run
Artmedia caused a stir in 2005-06 when they made it all the way to the group stages of the Champions League. Their fairytale participation in Europe's top competition was hailed as a triumph for the continent's underdogs and Valletta, like all the other less-fancied sides, need look no further than their opponents for inspiration.
Artmedia's prize for knocking out Kairat Almaty, Celtic and Partizan Belgrade was a place in a group containing Inter, Porto and Rangers.
Since 2005-06, Artmedia have finished runners-up twice before reclaiming the Slovakian league title last season. Captain Jan Kozak, who had a brief spell on loan with West Bromwich Albion, is one of six players from the 2005-06 side still in the current squad, alongside midfielders Branislav Obzera and Branislav Fodrek, defender Ales Urbanek, and goalkeepers Lubos Kamenar and Juraj Cobej.
Artmedia have strengthened their predominantly Slovak squad with the capture of Brazilian forward Anderson Goncalves Pedro, from MKS Pogon Szczecin. Pedro will link up with compatriot Kleber who joined Artmedia the year before.
Another summer boost for Artmedia was the agreement between the club and the Slovak FA for coach Vladimir Weiss to lead the side through the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.
Weiss, who masterminded Artmedia's astonishing run in 2005-06, is set to take charge of the country's national team on August 1.
Referee: Christoforos Zografos (Greece).
First qualifying round - today
2. Valletta (Malta) vs Artmedia Petrzalka (Slovakia)
4. Santa Coloma (Andorra) vs Kaunas (Lithuania)
5. SS Murata (San Marino) vs Goteborg (Sweden)
6. Llanelli AFC (Wales) vs Ventspils (Latvia)
7. Anorthorsis Famagusta (Cyprus) vs Pyunik (Armenia)
8. Inter Baku (Azerbaijan) vs Rabotnicki (Macedonia)
9. Tampere Utd (Finland) vs B. Podgorica (Montenegro)
10. Dudelange (Luxembourg) vs Domzale (Slovenia)
11. Dinamo Tirana (Albania) vs Modrica (Bosnia)
14. BATE Borisov (Belarus) vs Valur Reykjavik (Iceland)
Playing tomorrow
1. Linfield (Northern Ireland) vs Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
3. Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) vs NSI Runavik (Faroe Islands)
12. Aktobe (Kazakhstan) vs FC Sheriff (Moldova)
13. Drogheda (Ireland) vs Levadia Tallinn (Estonia)
Second legs: July 22-23.