A spirited performance in Hungary last week will have gone some way towards strengthening Birkirkara’s belief that they can advance to the second qualifying round of the Europa League at the expense of Diosgyor but coach Paul Zammit is approaching today’s second leg at the National Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) with a cautious mindset.
Despite playing almost the entire second half with 10 men after the dismissal defender Matheus Bissi, Birkirkara kept their composure and tactical shape to frustrate Diosgyor who needed a stoppage-time goal to grind out a 2-1 win.
The determination of the Birkirkara players to react in the face of adversity drew praise from Zammit.
“I’m very satisfied that a Maltese team could produce such a great match away from home,” Zammit said of his team’s display at the Debrecen Stadium.
“It was a positive outing for several reasons. Even with 10 men, the team was so compact that Diosgyor didn’t cause us many problems whereas we were dangerous on the counter.
“We were unlucky to concede a goal so late in the match but, even at such a delicate stage, the team reacted immediately and had a one-on-one chance with their goalkeeper.
“I was pleased with our reaction, not only tactically, but also mentally. We fell behind early but equalised before half-time and even when we had Bissi sent off the players produced the right response.
“However, the match in Malta is a new page.”
Diosgyor will probably treat Birkirkara with more respect after their first-leg showing but Zammit is sure that the Hungarians had studied his team in detail.
“They knew a lot about us,” Zammit said.
“It could be that after the draw was made, they were happy to meet us but when they did their research, they became aware of our strengths.
“The second leg will be a different story altogether. We know each other better now.
“One thing we certainly can’t forget is that this time we have to chase the result as we’re a goal down at the moment.
“We need to be very careful. We can’t afford to think that, because we played well in the first leg, we will have an easy ride at home.
“Diosgyor are a strong team. They will punish us if we make a mistake.
“I have told the players that for us to have a chance, it has to be our day.
“And we are doing our best to make sure that we deliver the goods.”
Although prudence is the name of the game for Zammit, he acknowledged that Birkirkara’s target is to qualify for the next round where Moldova’s FC Veris or Bulgarian side Litex Lovech await the winner.
“Before the draw was made, our goal was to advance as far as possible and nothing has changed,” Zammit said.
“My wish is that we raise our ambitions when playing in European competitions.
“This applies not only to Birkirkara but Maltese football in general.
“During this period, I look at the performances of our clubs. Sliema did well in the first leg and Hibs also had their chances despite losing 4-2.”
Bissi, who scored Birkirkara’s temporary equaliser in Hungary with a sizzling free-kick, is suspended after a dismissal for two yellow cards.
Zammit was due to check on the condition of captain Gareth Sciberras and defender Nikola Vukanac during training yesterday after both suffered heavy knocks last week.
“There could be some new faces in the team,” Zammit said when asked about the injury situation.
Goalkeeper Justin Haber is sidelined with an abdominal problem but newly-signed Brazilian striker Eliandro Gonzaga could make the squad.
The referee of the match will be Pavle Radovanovic, from the Montenegro football federation.