Coaches focus on positives after derby stalemate

Saturday’s derby showdown between Valletta and Floriana may have failed to justify the hype that preceded it but the two coaches preferred to accentuate the positives of their teams’ performance in the goalless stalemate.

While Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa praised his players’ resolve in grinding out a point despite playing with 10 men for almost 60 minutes, Todor Raykov, the Floriana mentor, was also pleased that his team had managed to avoid defeat against the title favourites.

“I’m pleased with the point gained,” Zerafa said. “The players deserve praise for their efforts because to take a point with 10 men is not easy.”

Buoyed by their unbeaten start to the league campaign, Valletta had been fancied to swat Floriana aside but their hopes receded when Brazilian defender Ramon was expelled 33 minutes into Saturday’s game after incurring two yellow cards for late challenges on Ivan Woods.

The Premier League pacesetters had been the more creative side until Ramon’s premature exit as Floriana looked mostly concerned with keeping their opponents at bay rather than causing a few problems of their own.

Woods was by far Floriana’s most effective player as his intelligent movement and physical strength proved too much for the hapless Ramon but the Greens played second fiddle to Valletta in midfield.

From the moment Ramon trudged back to the dressing rooms, Floriana were expected to pile up the pressure on their weakened opponents but their attacking threat was so negligible that they never troubled Andrew Hogg in the City goal.

Raykov acknowledged that his team had offered little going forward but blamed their travails on their poor record against Valletta in recent seasons.

“Psychologically, I prepared the team to win this game,” Raykov said. “During the match, I encouraged my players to go up and attack but they found it hard to do that.

“Last season, Floriana conceded 10 goals in two games against Valletta. I was a player myself and I know that these kind of games are difficult. I would have been a happier person if my players kept possession but this is down to their mentality from the past few seasons.

“Floriana have a new president and a new coach. It’s not easy to get results straightaway. Before the game, I told the players ‘today is derby day’ and that they must work very hard to gain a positive result.

“After the first round, we have 14 points. Starting the second round with 14 points is a positive thing for us.”

The introduction of striker Ryan Darmanin for Christian Caruana midway into the second half was probably aimed at giving Floriana more bite up front but the change had no tangible effect as Darmanin cut a lonely figure in attack with Woods forced to drop deep to get the ball.

“I put Ryan Darmanin in to have two strikers,” Raykov said. “I wanted Ryan and Ivan Woods to lead our attack. But, Ivan Woods often had to drop deep to be more involved in the build-up because that’s part of his game.”

It says all about Floriana’s inhibitions on Saturday that Valletta’s best chances came soon after Ramon’s red card as Roderick Briffa was denied by a providential tackle from Brian Said and Terrence Scerri headed wide from a good position.

The second half was devoid of scoring opportunities, bar Denni’s first-time volley in stoppage time that brought a good save from Lofti Saidi, the Floriana goalkeeper.

“In the first half, we managed to keep our rhythm despite Ramon’s dismissal,” Zerafa reflected. “The players maintained their concentration to stay in the game. In the second period, tiredness sets in and you can easily concede a goal.

“We had fewer chances but we remained compact. Floriana were never dangerous and that shows that our players showed great tactical discipline on the pitch.”

The Valletta coach was compelled to deflect criticism of his two strikers, Denni and, to a lesser extent, Terrence Scerri, who have only scored eight goals between them so far.

“Denni and Terrence didn’t score today but we still have the best attack in the league as well as the best defensive record,” Zerafa said.

“Goals don’t necessarily have to come from the strikers and we’ve had many players among the scorers this season. For me that’s a good sign because we always stress the importance of the collective. You can only attain consistency if you play as a team.

“Today, we missed some chances but the team did well to create them.”

In normal circumstances, a point gained with 10 men is considered a point saved but the lofty expectations surrounding Valletta allied with their fierce rivalry with Floriana meant that Saturday’s draw still caused a whiff a disappointment among their faithful.

With Valletta billed as top favourites to recapture the league title, Zerafa knows that his team are on a hiding to nothing as they’re expected to win every game in some style but he’s unfazed by the pressure.

“The problem about our team is that if we lose or draw, we’re a bad side and if we win 2-1, our opponents are poor,” Zerafa said. “That said, we’re just concentrating on getting the results we aim for… we are only thinking about winning the league title.”

Meanwhile, Zerafa is likely to be without three first-choice players for tomorrow’s encounter with Ħamrun Spartans.

Ramon’s red card automatically rules him out of the next game, Jamie Pace is set to receive a one-match suspension after getting his fourth yellow card against Floriana and central defender Jonathan Caruana is highly doubtful after coming off with a muscle knock in the second half of Saturday’s game.

Goals proved hard to come by in the BOV Premier League last weekend with only three nettings in five matches. The much-awaited derby between Valletta and Floriana was one of three goalless stalemates as the top guns all failed to take maximum points.

The first meeting between Valletta and Floriana this season lured a sizeable crowd to the National Stadium but the proceedings on the field failed to live up to the fans’ expectations.

Valletta created the better chances against a Floriana side who showed admirable fight but little flair up front. A win would have extended Valletta’s advantage at the top to seven points but the 33rd-minute dismissal of defender Ramon, for two fouls on Ivan Woods, compounded matters for the unbeaten Citizens who had to settle for a point.

Struggling teams Hibs and Sliema Wanderers are still stuck at the wrong end of the standings after their direct encounter ended goalless in Saturday’s early kick-off.

After two 0-0 draws on Saturday, the weekend’s programme wrapped up with another goalless outcome as Tarxien Rainbows and Birkirkara cancelled each other out at the Hibs Stadium.

In Sunday’s opening game, the supporters were regaled with a gem of a goal as Cleaven Frendo scored with an outstanding strike after 10 minutes to hand Qormi a much-needed 1-0 victory over the erstwhile high-flying Marsaxlokk.

Victory propelled Qormi above Sliema and Hibs into seventh place on 11 points, only two adrift of Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara.

On Friday, Ħamrun Spartans strengthened their own Championship Pool push with a 2-0 victory over Vittoriosa Stars who had not lost in their previous four games.

Gaetan Spiteri was on target in the latter stages of the first and second half as the Spartans bounced back from their 2-1 upset to Marsaxlokk and, more importantly, enhanced their morale ahead of tomorrow’s clash with leaders Valletta.

Premier League statistics

Scorers, red cards

Birkirkara: Lattes 4; Vella 3, Galea 3 (1 pen); Cilia 2; Fenech, Vukanac.
Floriana: Woods 2 (1 pen.), Mecerod 2; Dzhorov, Darmanin, Caruana.
Ħamrun Spartans: Pereira 4, Spiteri 4; Shields 3; Grima 2, Anizoba 2, Mangion.
Red cards: Hrubsa (vs Floriana), Bonnici (vs Floriana).
Hibernians: McManus 4; Cohen 3 (1 pen); Caruana, Clarke, Herrera, Farrugia.
Red card: Pulis (vs Ħamrun Spartans).
Marsaxlokk: Effiong 7; Templeman 2; Alcorse pen, Kokavessis.
Red card: Alcorse (vs Valletta).
Qormi: Mallia 3; Frendo 2; Bjedov, J. Farrugia, Bello Osagie.
Sliema Wanderers: Mifsud Triganza 3; Obiefule 2; Lima.
Red cards: Mintoff (vs Birkirkara); B. Muscat (vs Vittoriosa).
Tarxien Rainbows: Sergio 3, Ricardo Costa 3; Cristiano 2 (1 pen), Bueno 2. Own goal: Pearson (vs Hibernians).
Valletta: Scerri 6 (2 pens); Sammut 4; Falzon 2, Pace 2, Denni 2 (1 pen); Zammit, G. Agius, E. Agius.
Red card: Ramon (vs Floriana).
Vittoriosa Stars: Ewurum 3; Santos Silva 2. Own goal: Gauci (vs Hibs).
Red cards: Campagnoli (vs Valletta); Tarabay (vs Birkirkara).

Next fixtures

Tomorrow: (National Stadium) 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Valletta.
Saturday: (Hibs Stadium) 2 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Tarxien Rainbows; 4 p.m. Hibernians vs Floriana.
Sunday: (National Stadium) 2 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Qormi; 4 p.m. Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers.
Monday: (National Stadium) 7.30 p.m. Vittoriosa Stars vs Valletta.