‘We can, not we hope’.

This has been Pietro Ghedin’s maxim for the past four months and his players would do well to embrace his message ahead of tonight’s intimidating en-counter with Italy at the National Stadium.

Optimism within the Malta squad is in short supply after their tame capitulation to Norway but Ghedin hopes to coax a strong reaction out of his team knowing that a repeat of their performance on Friday would leave them on a hiding to nothing against the Group H heavyweights.

“I expect a positive reaction,” Ghedin said.

“In the Norway game, we didn’t play well tactically. I must admit that I expected a lot better from the team last Friday after our performances in the friendly against Slovakia (0-1) and the qualifier against Croatia (0-2).

“I was upbeat before the game... our display on the day was certainly unexpected.

“The team didn’t perform the way I thought they would. But that is behind us.

“Against Italy, I expect a livelier and energetic performance in consonance with the team’s potential.”

It goes without saying that Malta need something of a sporting miracle to take something from their clash with Italy who are still regarded as a footballing behemoth despite their ignominious group-stage exit at the World Cup last summer.

The appointment of Antonio Conte as Cesare Prandelli’s replacement looks to have restored confidence in the national side as the former Juventus boss is admired for his ability to build well-knit teams.

Conte is yet to stamp his mark on Italy but the signs are that the players are fast adapting to the ideas and demands of their new coach.

“Under Conte, Italy have quickened the pace of their game,” Ghedin said.

“They are very rapid going forward and deadlier in their finishing.

“We have to be very careful and much more concentrated than we were against Norway.”

Italy made heavy weather of seeing off unfancied Azerbaijan in Friday’s qualifier at Palermo as testified by the 2-1 scoreline.

Their performance was depicted as low-key in many quarters but Ghedin has a different view.

“Italy’s display was not 100 per cent but they had five or six clearcut chances,” Ghedin said.

“They could have done better but Italy had 80 per cent possession. Azerbaijan didn’t cross the halfway line but they came close to pulling off a massive upset.

“However, Italy should have won with a bigger margin.”

Despite the criticism of Italy’s laboured showing on Friday, Ghedin, who worked with Conte when he was assistant to Dino Zoff with the Azzurri, was full of praise for the former Juventus coach, saying he would give him a nine for his work so far.

Italy boast many world-class players, the likes of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio, but Ghedin insisted that the Azzurri’s strength lies in the collective.

“Italy are strong in every department,” Ghedin said.

“Their defence is extraordinary, led by ‘il principe’ Buffon.”

Ghedin confessed that the manner of Malta’s defeat to Norway had jolted the players’ confidence.

“I must admit that the Norway game has given me some problems,” Ghedin, who has been targeted for criticism following Malta’s lacklustre display on Friday, said.

“We have been trying to restore serenity within the squad. Malta is better than what we showed against Norway.

“We went into the last game with too much confidence, we thought we could play but they punished us with counter-attacks.

“I mean Malta conceded three goals from breakaways and that is unbelievable.”

Malta’s display against Norway was littered with errors, especially on the right flank and in defence.

Ghedin and his technical staff have analysed Friday’s game but the Malta coach revealed that he refrained from tearing into his players for their mistakes in a bid to raise their morale.

“We committed many mistakes but I have to be positive,” Ghedin, whose low-key demeanour was in stark contrast with his upbeat mood on the eve of the Norway game, remarked.

“It’s also my responsibility, my role to highlight the mistakes. No-one is perfect, we all make mistakes and we must accept criticism, starting with me.

“We need to discuss these things together even if this might cause some disappointment.”

The absences of defenders Jonathan Caruana, who is recuperating from groin surgery, and Steve Borg, who will serve the second of a three-match ban, have weakened Ghedin’s defensive options.

Nevertheless, Ghedin is still expected to make some changes from the Norway game. Roderick Briffa, who did well going forward but struggled to track back against Norway, could be switched to midfield as Ghedin is likely to pick a faster, more defence-minded player to patrol the right flank.

“I might rest some players who have looked tired,” Ghedin said.

“Some players might have difficulties recovering, mentally and physically, from the Norway game and if that happens, I will give them some breathing space.”

Ghedin may also elect to make one change in central defence but the bulk of the team will be the same as Friday.

As in last year’s 2014 World Cup qualifier, the National Stadium will be packed to the rafters for tonight’s game. Most of the fans are attracted by the prospect of watching Italy, who have many passionate followers in our country, but a stirring showing from Malta would surely go done well with the home crowd.

Ghedin hopes that his players rise to the occasion.

“I’ve been told that the stadium will be full,” Ghedin said.

“We will do our best to give a good account of themselves but to do this, we need to be united and play as a team.

“We must stick together.”

Past encounters

European Championship
06-12-1986 Malta vs Italy - 0-2
24-01-1987 Italy vs Malta - 5-0

World Cup
19-12-1992 Malta vs Italy - 1-2
24-03-1993 Italy vs Malta - 6-1
11-09-2012 Italy vs Malta - 2-0
26-03-2013 Malta vs Italy - 0-2

Malta (probable)
A. Hogg, Z. Muscat/C. Gatt Baldacchino, P. Fenech, A. Agius, R. Fenech, C. Failla, R. Briffa/J. Mintoff, M. Mifsud, R. Muscat, A. Schembri, R. Camilleri.

Italy (probable)
G. Buffon, A. Ranocchia, L. Bonucci, G. Chiellini, A. Candreva, A. Florenzi/M. Parolo, A. Pirlo, C. Marchisio, M. Pasqual, C. Immobile, G. Pelle.

Referee: O. Hategan (Romania).

Kick-off: 20.45 (National Stadium).