Birkirkara’s renaissance under new coach Drazen Besek will be subjected to another stern test tomorrow when they meet Floriana.

Emboldened by a five-match winning run in the championship, the Stripes will entertain high hopes of keeping their title bid on track but they will be wary of a Floriana backlash as the Greens will be determined to ease the pain of their defeat to Valletta last weekend.

Besek, who took over from Giovanni Tedesco last month, knows that Floriana are a tough nut to crack but insisted that he was focusing on his team.

“Floriana are a solid, balanced side,” he told Times of Malta.

“They have some good Italian and Argentinian players but that’s not important for me.

“My focus is on my team, on how we can get better and how we can get good results on the pitch to make our fans happy after the game.

“This is my way of thinking and I know that all our players are giving their best to make it happen.”

Besek’s arrival heralded a squad overhaul at Birkirkara as a host of new players, mostly foreigners, have been signed to replace the likes of Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat, Fabrizio Miccoli, Rowen Muscat and Liliu.

This week, the Stripes added Croatian striker Matija Smrekar to their squad but the 26-year-old is unlikely to be involved tomorrow.

Commenting on the comings and goings in the current transfer window, Besek said: “Before I came here, I was looking at some things. I knew that Miccoli and some home players had left. The club lost some quality regulars and we had to replace them.

“I want to thank the club for supporting me by building a strong squad with good players.”

Besek is not expected to make a lot of changes from the team that started the 3-1 win over St Andrew’s.

Goalkeeper Justin Haber, Ryan Scicluna and Edward Herrera are still sidelined with injuries.

After Wednesday’s win, Birkirkara are now only three points off the top, thus restoring their fans’ optimism about their title prospects.

The Croatian coach is aware of the high expectations at Birkirkara but he’s unfazed by them.

“In football, every team has its goals,” Besek said.

“But, I know why I’m here and I know my job and responsibilities.

“Everybody wants to see us in the highest position. I have a big responsibility but I know what I have to do to realise our ambitions.”

Floriana’s top-four ambitions were jolted by their unlucky loss to Valletta last weekend but coach Luis Oliveira has urged his players to maintain their focus.

“We need to produce the right reaction but the players must re-member that we had a very good game against Valletta,” Oliveira said.

“I don’t call that bad luck, it’s a curse if you think of the circumstances in which we lost the game.

“At 1-0 up, we hit the woodwork twice and Steve Bonnici had a great chance whereas Valletta took the few chances they created.

“It’s these episodes that make you angry because, until they equalised, we dominated the match.

“It’s not easy to lift the players because they are drained mentally. It’s hard to digest a defeat like that. But we need to look forward… we can’t lose our way.

“We have some players missing but this is an opportunity for the others to show that they are also worthy of playing for Floriana.”

The availability of Emerson Marcelina, who rejoined the Greens on loan from Birkirkara, should alleviate Oliveira’s midfield problems as captain Nicolas Chiesa and Clyde Borg are both suspended.

Oliveira will also make a final check on the conditions of Andrea Scozzese, Enrico Pepe and Antonio Monticelli who are struggling with injuries.

Floriana will be running into a much-changed Birkirkara team tomorrow compared to the first round but Oliveira believes that the Stripes have brought in valid reinforcements.

“Birkirkara have lost some important players but signed adequate replacements. I saw their goalkeeper (Miroslav Kopric) and he looks very good… he commands the box,” Oliveira said.

“Their new midfielder (Ande-lkovic) as well as Edison Bilbao Zarate are also strong together with the two wingers (Ryan Camenzuli and Frank Temile).

“From my point-of-view, Bir-kirkara, Valletta, Hibs, Balzan and Tarxien have an extra edge, also because they have a bigger budget compared to us.”

First round result: Birkirkara vs Floriana 0-0.

Programme

Playing Today

Tedesco Stadium
St Andrew’s vs Hibernians 14.00
Qormi vs Naxxar Lions 16.15

Tomorrow

Hibs Stadium
Pembroke vs Valletta 14.00
Sliema vs Balzan 16.00

National Stadium

Mosta vs Tarxien 14.00
Birkirkara vs Floriana 16.00