Coach Alfonso Greco is set for a baptism of fire as Żebbuġ Rangers, his new team, take on Qormi this evening at the Hibernians Stadium (kick-off 6pm).
This will be the first top-flight derby between these two neighbouring rivals since season 1979-80.
After losing his job as Sliema Wanderers coach last month, Greco has made a swift return to Maltese football after accepting the offer of Żebbuġ Rangers to take over from Jesmond Zammit who stepped down in the wake of the team’s 1-0 defeat to Pietà Hotspurs.
The Italian faces a tall order to keep Żebbuġ in the BOV Premier League as the newcomers are rooted to the bottom of the table with only three points and no wins from nine games.
“The team is in a difficult situation but we still need to be positive,” Greco told Times of Malta.
“The players look motivated also because a coaching change gives them an added stimulus.”
Greco is still finding his feet at Żebbuġ but his first impressions of the squad are encouraging.
“It’s clear that the players need to have more faith in themselves,” Greco said.
“They need a good result to rediscover their self-belief. There are some good players in the squad and I believe that we can work well together.”
With Clifford Gauci and Javier Diaz Serrano available after serving a one-match ban, Żebbuġ are expected to be at full strength.
On paper, Qormi are favourites to claim the points on the back of three straight wins that have lifted them into the top half of the table but coach Josef Mansueto insisted that past form counts for nothing in derby duels.
“There are no favourites in derby matches,” Mansueto said.
“We are not looking at the standings. At the end of the day, a derby generates fresh enthusiasm and the fans of both clubs are expected to turn up in large numbers as this is the first Premier League clash between Qormi and Żebbuġ for many years.
“Furthermore, the arrival of a new coach will increase the motivation of the Żebbuġ players as they will be doing their best to impress their new boss.”
While Mansueto’s cautious mindset is understandable, the Qormi coach also has good reason to be upbeat after seeing his team raise their game considerably to collect maximum points from their last three outings.
“I’m optimistic but I had a positive feeling about the team’s progress even before our last three games,” Mansueto said.
“In the previous matches, there were instances when the team played good football but we lacked continuity.
“Things are looking good because we are coming from three wins in a row but we need to maintain this consistency.”
Mansueto is expected to send out his strongest formation as all the players are available for selection.
Birkirkara vs Sliema
In today’s second game at Corradino (8pm kick-off) Birkirkara will be bidding to put their title challenge back on track when they meet Sliema Wanderers.
The Stripes lost further ground to Hibernians after their 1-0 reverse to the leaders last weekend while Sliema are in mid-table on 13 points.
Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has been sweating over the fitness of a host of key players as Matheus Bissi has an ankle sprain and Nikola Vukanac is suffering from an adductor problem.
Brazilian striker Liliu and Ryan Camenzuli picked up knocks in the game against Hibs.
Sliema, unbeaten in their last four games, figured in a goalless draw against Balzan in their last outing.
Italian defender Stefano Bianciardi is an injury doubt for Sliema but otherwise coach Stephen Azzopardi, who replaced Greco last month, has no selection problems.
Defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino returns from suspension and midfielders Paltemio Barbetti and Beppe Muscat have recovered from injuries.