Zerafa eyes win to wrap up tie

Buoyed by the capture of Malta international striker Michael Mifsud, Valletta FC are deter-mined to wrap up their passage to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League with victory over Tre Fiori at the Hibs Stadium this evening (kick-off: 7.30 p.m.).

After the crushing 3-0 away win over the San Marino champions in Serravalle last week, the Citizens are firm favourites to progress to a second qualifying round tie against Lithuanian champions Ekranas.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa yesterday dismissed suggestions that his team will approach today’s match in a relaxed mood and is urging his players to wrap up the tie in style.

“Obviously, we are in a very strong position following our 3-0 win in San Marino,” Zerafa told The Times yesterday.

“We shouldn’t throw away that lead but this does not mean that we will approach the second leg differently.

“This team is designed to win matches and that will be the order of the day against Tre Fiori. Also, playing at home increases our desire to seal our passage with a convincing victory.

“Tre Fiori will try to make things more difficult for us so we have to be prepared. Winning matches ine-vitably boosts the morale of the team so we have to maintain that feel-good factor ahead of our next commitments.”

Zerafa will make a couple of changes from the team that per-formed so well in San Marino.

Burkina Faso striker Ousseni Zongo is now a registered player and expected to be included in the starting formation. However, Roderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana, booked in Serravalle, could be left out to avoid any risk of picking a second yellow card which would see them suspended for the team’s next match.

Mifsud is ineligible for today’s match but he is likely to make a showing for the fans at the Hibs Stadium and that increases the possibility of a sell-out crowd at Corradino.

Zerafa believes the Malta striker will be a huge addition to the Malta champions.

“Michael is the best Maltese striker in circulation,” Zerafa said.

“We’re all excited to see him playing for us again and I’m sure that with his qualities he will add a new dimension to our team.

“He is a great signing and boosts our hopes of making further progress in Europe this summer.”

Tre Fiori arrived on Monday.

Following their upset at home, player-coach Paolo Tarini has made no secret of his intention to introduce new faces today as they look to offer a sterner challenge to Valletta.

Central defender Giacomo Benedettini, a San Marino international, has not made the trip as he is unavailable but otherwise Tarini has a full comple-ment at his disposal.

Referee: Bardhyl Pashaj (Albania FA).

Played yesterday: Dudelange vs Santa Coloma 2-0 (agg: 4-0).