Zerafa backs City to roar back

Frustration was the predominant feeling among the Valletta fans after the 1-1 draw against Ħamrun Spartans last weekend.

Despite stretching their unbeaten run to 19 matches, the City players will surely have shared their supporters’ disappointment but coach Jesmond Zerafa is backing his troops to bounce back in their clash with Marsaxlokk tomorrow (4 p.m.).

Although Valletta, the long-time Premier League leaders, are widely perceived as having a distinct edge over the rest, their task tomorrow promises to be anything but straightforward as Marsaxlokk come into this match with their spirits sky-high after kickstarting their Championship Pool commitments with a 4-0 rout of Floriana.

All eyes will be on Valletta and how they respond to their setback against the Spartans but Zerafa played down talk that his team are under increasing pressure to get back to winning ways.

“I wouldn’t say that the draw against Ħamrun has increased the pressure on us but it has strengthened the players’ motivation,” Zerafa told The Times.

“The consistency we’ve shown so far this season has enabled us to climb to the top of the table. Getting to the top is not easy but staying there is more difficult and that’s our biggest challenge.

“Our motivation is to maintain our consistency and stay ahead of the field.”

Valletta toiled to translate their superiority into clearcut chances in Sunday’s game while the interplay between the forwards left much to be desired.

The suspension-related absence of Denni didn’t aid Valletta’s cause but the Brazilian is back in the frame for tomorrow’s game.

Midfielder Jamie Pace is still doubtful but Ryan Fenech is expected to start after completing his recovery from injury.

Although Valletta have a six-point lead over Birkirkara, Zerafa is bracing himself for a hard-fought title run-in.

“All games at this stage of the season are crucial,” Zerafa said. “The title issue is certainly not closed as many had suggested. The Championship Pool is wide open because the teams challenging for Europe can also fight for the title.”

In Zerafa’s eyes, Marsaxlokk have the credentials to vie for a top-three berth. “It’s going to be another tough game,” Zerafa observed.

“Marsaxlokk have one of the strongest squads in the league and they can also challenge for the title.”

Sunday’s draw may have left the City fans exasperated but Zerafa insisted that it hasn’t dampened the upbeat mood among the players.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is very good,” Zerafa said. “I understand the supporters’ frustration… they are apprehensive because of what happened in the last two seasons. No-one here wants to go through that experience again.

“The unity in our clan has been our chief strength this season but we can’t relax.”

Confident Curmi

Buoyed by his side’s sprightly showing in the 4-0 defeat of Floriana, Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi is confident that his team will show its true potential in the Championship Pool, starting with tomorrow’s clash with the front-runners.

“There is no pressure on us ahead of this game,” Curmi remarked.

“That said, we want to advance in the table and the good start we had against Floriana has filled us with renewed optimism.

“Coming from the First Division, we expected a difficult campaign.

“All the clubs strengthened their squads and this made the league more balanced. There were a number of matches in the first phase when we were more concerned about avoiding defeat rather than trying to win.

“You can say that all the matches were direct clashes because the teams were so close to each other.

“Now that we have reached our top-six objective, we can play with more freedom. We believe in our potential and the players now have the confidence to express themselves.”

Curmi is not expected to make significant changes from the team that started Saturday’s win over Floriana.

Defender Clive Brincat is still on the injured list but the other players are available for selection.

Marsaxlokk’s underdog status ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Valletta is not a concern for Curmi.

“We’ll go out to play and try to get a good result,” Curmi said.

“It will be a very tough game because Valletta are the strongest team in the league but the pressure is on them to win, especially after their draw with Ħamrun.”

Previous results – Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 2-0, 0-0.