The Italian connection at Bir-kirkara will be under the spotlight at the Hibs Stadium today (kick-off 8.45pm) as Giovanni Tedesco takes charge of his first match as coach of the  Premier League club and star signing Fabrizio Miccoli is in line to make his debut.

It promises to be a momentous occasion for Birkirkara who meet Armenian side Ulisses FC knowing that victory would significantly strengthen their prospects of setting up a potentially glamorous tie with West Ham United in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Tedesco, who took over at Birkirkara this summer after parting ways with Floriana, admitted to feeling somewhat emotional ahead of his European debut as coach.

“It’s normal that there is a bit of emotion ahead of my debut as coach in an important competition like the Europa League,” Tedesco told the pre-match news conference yesterday.

“There is also a tinge of curiosity to see how the team will respond after only 15 days of work. As for the game, we are playing against a valid team but I’m convinced that I have a very good squad and I’m confident that we will have a good match.”

Ulisses FC are something of an unknown quantity.

They secured a berth in the Europa League after finishing runners-up to FC Pyunik in the Armenian championship.

“Ulisses are physically strong but they can also play football,” Tedesco said.

“At the back, they have two powerful central defenders but in attack, they also have some quality players. Their level is good, we have studied them well and we know we are facing a tough team.

“That said, we should also focus on our qualities. I mean, in the recent international games against Lithuania and Bulgaria, there were seven to eight Birkirkara players in the Maltese national squad and that is a very positive sign.”

Tedesco confirmed that Miccoli is eligible to make his Birkirkara bow today along with fellow newcomers Vito Plut, the Slovenian striker, and Bosnian forward Edin Murga.

Asked about Miccoli’s physical condition in light of the fact that he only completed his move to Birkirkara last week, Tedesco said he was pleased with the striker’s fitness level before praising his motivation and adaptability.

“He has come with the right mentality,” Tedesco said of the 36-year-old who played 10 times for Italy.

“Miccoli has integrated well into the squad and that is very important as, beyond the footballing aspects, it’s important to have a group of real men.”

Midfielders Gareth Sciberras and Ryan Scicluna will miss out as they are recovering from injuries while wing-back Edward Herrera is unavailable as he is on honeymoon.

Physical condition

Given that the European commitments come very early in the season for Maltese clubs, Tedesco said his players must use their heads and give their heart in their Europa League games as their physical condition has yet to reach optimal levels.

The prospect of securing a match against West Ham – who take on Andorra’s Lusitans – in the next round has not been far from Bir-kirkara’s minds but Tedesco is hoping that this scenario is an added incentive for his players.

“The possibility of playing West Ham United next is an added stimulus but first we have to think about Ulisses,” the former Floriana coach said.

“This situation should motivate the players to give something extra in order to meet a prestigious club like West Ham United but we have a lot of work to do to achieve this target.”

Tedesco said the readiness of the Birkirkara players to work hard, their technical attributes and the squad’s togetherness have further heightened his optimism about their chances of claiming victory tonight.

Paul Fenech, the Birkirkara captain, issued a cautious note.

“This is a very important game for us and we are 100 per cent concentrated,” he said.

“The task can be more difficult when you know very little about your opposition.

“Sure, we have seen highlights of their games in the last part of the season but, like us, Ulisses will have new players in their team.”

Referee: Erez Papir (Israel).