Zammit warns against complacency as Stripes look to protect 3-0 lead

Birkirkara are in a peculiar position going into the second leg of their Champions League first qualifying round tie against Andorra's FC Santa Coloma this evening at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off 6 p.m.).

Having been awarded a 3-0 victory by UEFA after the first-leg match was called off due at the inadequacy of the pitch of the Estadi Comunal, the Stripes are favourites to set up a second round meeting with Slovakia's MK Zilina but coach Paul Zammit has been urging caution.

While acknowledging that Birkirkara find themselves in a "favourable situation", Zammit stressed that his team can't take FC Santa Coloma lightly, moreso because the Andorrans are an unknown proposition for the Stripes.

"Given that we're 3-0 up because of extraordinary circumstances, one can't deny that the situation is a favourable one but there are many other factors that concern me as a coach," Zammit told The Times.

"I was looking forward to playing Santa Coloma away as I wanted to gauge their potential but that was not possible. In my career, I've never feared anyone but at the same time I never underestimate opponents.

"This is a case where the two teams know very little about each other but I'm 100 per cent sure that Santa Coloma have travelled to Malta fully determined to give a good account of themselves. We have to make sure that we also approach the match with a steely resolve to do well and secure our passage to the second round.

"Make no mistake, we must work hard to reach our aim."

Zammit has no injury problems but there are doubts over Sylvano Comvalius's participation.

The Dutch winger skipped a number of training sessions over the past few days as he flew to the Netherlands to be near his wife who is expecting a child.

Angus Buhagiar is back in the frame after missing the trip to Andorra last week.

"The first half-hour will be crucial," Zammit said.

"This may sound contradictory but I've told my players to approach the match as if the score was still 0-0 but at the same time I want them to remember that we're 3-0 ahead as that would give them the tranquility to play to their strengths.

"However, we can't get overconfident. I believe in our chances of getting a good result here. We have to show that Birkirkara can also deliver the goods and that Maltese clubs are capable of playing good football. We may be the favourites to reach the second round but we want to earn that right."

Xavier Roura, the coach of Santa Coloma, will no doubt plead with his players to put on a bright performance to salvage their wounded pride.

"I've tried to gather as much information as I could about Santa Coloma," Zammit said.

"Most of their players are tall. Judging by their performance in an important league game last season, Santa Coloma put a lot of emphasis on fast play on the wings and long balls towards their main striker.

"I'm expecting an aggressive approach from them. We have to be cautious without losing sight of our strong points. There's no way we will set out to defend."

The referee of today's match will be Bobby Madden, of Scotland.