Paul Zammit has lauded his team’s character and tactical discipline after Birkirkara produced a cohesive performance to overcome champions Valletta on Sunday.
Goals from Brazilians Rafael Ledesma and Liliu either side of half-time propelled Birkirkara back to winning ways after their unexpected 3-1 setback against Tarxien Rainbows in their previous outing.
“As a game, it was a test of character for us,” the Birkirkara coach told Times of Malta.
“We were coming from a series of contrasting performances.
“The team showed some good points during the season but playing against one of the top sides in the Premier League, I expected a reaction from my players.
“They were tactically disciplined and showed character. I’m proud of their efforts.”
Zammit has generally favoured a 3-5-2 system in the past two seasons but this term, Birkirkara have mostly played with four at the back. That was until last Sunday as Zammit reverted to a three-man backline and the team’s display reinforced the perception that this system suits Birkirkara better.
“I played with three at the back for two main reasons,” Zammit explained.
“I could do it because I had the whole squad available, bar Gareth Sciberras.
“The decision to go with three in defence was also influenced by our tactical intentions and the way we planned to implement our gameplan, both in defence and attack.
“The players responded well. This is one of the systems that suits our team but I always demand flexibility from my players in terms of adapting to different strategies.”
Valletta also switched to a three-man defence for Sunday’s game but Zammit wasn’t surprised.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Zammit said. “I envisaged that Valletta might change their approach. Even last season, under Andre Paus, Valletta tried to mirror us tactically.”
Having lamented Birkirkara’s lack of consistency in the early months of the season, Zammit is now hoping that the tactical organisation that underpinned their performance last weekend, will lead to a good run.
“In modern football, the basis of a good performance is tactical discipline,” the Birkirkara mentor remarked.
“It’s something that allows a team to gain an edge over the opposition. A team grows when the players feel strong tactically.
“Even before Sunday, I had noticed positive signs from my team from a tactical perspective. And our showing in the last match suggests that our work is beginning to bear fruit.”