With 67 caps under his belt, Andrè Schembri is one of the senior members of the national squad.

A minor injury restricted him to a cameo appearance in Malta’s last Euro 2016 Group H qualifier, a 1-0 home defeat to Bulgaria in June, but Schembri is widely tipped to recapture his place in Pietro Ghedin’s starting XI for tomorrow’s eagerly-awaited clash with Italy at the Stadio Artemio Franchi (kick-off 8.45pm).

The playmaker is approaching the game in a positive frame of mind after a rigorous pre-season with Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia.

“I barely had time to rest this summer as I joined my club for the start of pre-season soon after the June internationals,” Schembri told Times of Malta yesterday.

“We began training early as Omonia had to play in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.

“The pre-season was very intense but I feel fine physically.

“I believe that I’m positively prepared for the next international games which are important for us.

“The focus is on Italy but we shouldn’t forget that we also have a home game against Azerbaijan.

“Both games carry a lot of significance for our team and we hope to pick up some points.

“We can’t head into these matches with the aim of obtaining a creditable result, we need points.”

Malta’s chances of taking something from their clash with Italy to add to their solitary point in Group H look remote but Schembri is not giving up hope.

“We will go out on the pitch with the intention of getting points,” the 29-year-old remarked.

“There’s no disputing the fact that Italy are the better team but miracles do happen in football.

“Normally, our team fares better in the second game because the first match gives you a kind of boost in terms of adapting to the rhythm of international football.

“We are preparing for these games as best as we can.

“The training system of the national squad changed a few years ago and, in my mind, this has somehow made things more difficult for us.

“The coach (Ghedin) and also Zazu (Ray Farrugia) are really doing their best to ready the squad for the important tests ahead.

“For us, the change in the training scheme had an impact as the majority of our players are not full-time professionals and our resources are not as abundant as those of the other European countries.”

While the decision to scrap the weekly training sessions for the national squad members has not dampened the dressing-room atmosphere, Schembri feels that the bond between the players was stronger before as they spent more time together.

“The enthusiasm is always there but maybe it was even better before because the players met on a regular basis,” Schembri said.

We need to tackle games with a different attitude and a belief that we can collect points

“The good thing is that the squad is practically the same, so the players know each other very well and the mood is always upbeat.

“Everyone is concentrating on the game against Italy. We know it’s not going to be easy.”

Schembri earmarked the first and last 15 minutes of an international game as two crucial periods for Malta.

“I always say that the first and final 15 minutes are critical for us,” Schembri said.

“When we played Italy in Modena three years ago, we conceded a goal in the opening minutes and another one in the dying stages.

“If we are fully focused and tactically disciplined in the initial stages of an international game, I believe that we can get a positive result against any team.

“We are playing against a leading footballing nation but this is not a new situation for us because we have produced good performances against big teams and world-class players in the past.

“We can’t go out there thinking only of giving a good account of ourselves.

“We need to tackle games with a different attitude and a belief that we can collect points.

“People reading this will probably think that I’m just dreaming, given the strength of the Italy team, but I have a winning philosophy.”

Schembri admitted that he is relishing the prospect of starting against Italy but he’s not taking anything for granted.

“I only played a few minutes in the June qualifier against Bulgaria as I had a slight injury,” Schembri said.

“I’m eager to play in the coming games and help my team-mates but I also know that I must fight for my place in the team.

“I believe that, at national team level, no player has a guaranteed place in the starting formation.”

Schembri has been utilised in a variety of positions since rising to prominence as a precocious youngster with Hibernians.

Under Ghedin, Schembri has often played behind the striker which he regards his best position.

“I have played in many positions for the national side,” Schembri said. “There was also a time when I was asked to fill in as a midfielder.

“If you had to ask me where I prefer to play, I would say that my favourite position is as second striker.

“With the national team, it’s not easy to play behind the striker because the ball doesn’t arrive too often in my zone as most of the time we are chasing possession.

“It’s difficult to make an impact but, all in all, I feel comfortable in this position.”