New Marsaxlokk coach Curmi makes debut against champions

Patrick Curmi is in for a tough debut as Marsaxlokk coach this afternoon when he leads the Southerners against champions Valletta in a Premier League match at the National Stadium (kick-off 4 p.m.).

Curmi was appointed as the new Marsaxlokk coach earlier this week after the Malta FA Executive Committee gave its nod for him to make the move official following his controversial departure from Msida St Joseph.

At Marsaxlokk, Curmi will replace Brian Talbot who has now been assigned the role of technical director.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Curmi admitted his first match as Marsaxlokk coach couldn't have been more difficult but added that he was looking forward to his new challenge.

"This is an exciting venture for me," Curmi said.

"Marsaxlokk boast one of the strongest squads in the Premier League but so far they have failed to show their real strength. The team's position in the standings is very disappointing at the moment but there is a firm belief inside the club that we can turn the season around.

"Obviously, facing Valletta is not the ideal way to mark one's debut but a new coach's first match in charge is never easy irrespective of which team you play against.

"You take time to get accustomed in new surroundings but I would like to thank the players and officials who have been very supportive with me."

Marsaxlokk are currently seventh in the standings with only 10 points from the same number of matches.

Curmi said Marsaxlokk's main objective today is to win three valuable points to help them bridge the gap with his former club Msida who are four points ahead in sixth place.

"Our target, like most other teams at this juncture, is to try and finish in the top six," Curmi said.

"We have eight matches left till the end of the first phase and we have to try and win as many points as possible. Marsaxlokk did quite well in the last outing against Qormi. So, it's important to maintain a good level of consistency.

"Valletta are no easy opponents but we, too, have a very competitive squad. The players did really well this week in training and we also had time to have some head-to-head chats. Hopefully, our strong determination will see us through."

Curmi, meanwhile, has received some great news from the treatment room as Renato Conceicao and Trevor Templeman have both recovered from long-term injuries while Brian Said and Steve Wellman return after missing the 3-1 win over Qormi.

Valletta, however, cannot field their strongest formation as defender Luke Dimech and striker Ian Zammit must serve a one-match ban while midfielder Edmund Agius and Stefan Giglio are still recovering from injury.

Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, prefers to focus on his team's progress in the past few weeks rather than delve on what Curmi might have in store to surprise him.

The Citizens, in third place and five points adrift of leaders Hibs, are the only side with an unbeaten record so far. In recent weeks the team has shown clear signs of improvement.

The Valletta coach is hopeful the upward trend continues today.

"We know Marsaxlokk and we also know that you underestimate a team of their calibre and risk suffering some serious repercussions," Zammit said.

"Looking at the group of players they have, it is surprising to see Marsaxlokk languishing at the wrong end of the standings. It's true, they had a very difficult start to the season but with the arrival of a new coach such teams tend to start playing better immediately.

"But, this is a very important match for both teams. For us it gives us the opportunity to keep the pressure on the others. My main priority is to end the first phase in a very strong position, so, we simply cannot afford to drop any points.

"Lately, we've found better consistency in our play and now we want to keep it like that."

Since the start of the season, Valletta have been playing with only one foreigner on their books, Cameroon striker Njongo Priso. In the next couple of weeks the Citizens are expected to step up the efforts to sign two new overseas players.

"At the moment with have two forwards, an Argentine and a Brazilian, on trial," Zammit said.

"During the past week I have been working very closely with them during training to gauge their potential. No-one is rushing things at the moment, but, by next week the club will be in a better position to reach a decision."

First round: Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 2-0.