Valletta 1
Zammit 90 Pen
La Fiorita 0
Buoyed by their 3-0 win in last week’s first leg in San Marino, Valletta headed into yesterday’s home match against La Fiorita in a relaxed frame of mind, safe in the knowledge that their progress to the second qualifying round of the Europa League was all but guaranteed.
Valletta’s supremacy in the away match inevitably fuelled their fans’ optimism of a goal-laden victory on home soil but the priority for coach Mark Miller yesterday was for his team to avoid “scrares” and fresh injuries ahead of what promises to be a much sterner encounter against Belorussian side FC Minsk in the next round.
With La Fiorita clearly intent on cramming their defence and midfield to prevent another drubbing, Valletta dominated for long stretches but rarely moved out of second gear.
They did fashion the better chances but a series of miscued and weak shots appeared to have spoiled their chances of rubberstamping their passage to the next stage with a win.
That was until the last minute when Ian Zammit, who had replaced Dyson Falzon, early in the second half, won and converted a penalty to seal a 4-0 aggregate win for Valletta.
Although the anticipated goalfest failed to materialise, the City fans will have been pleased with their team’s businesslike showing.
There were other encouraging points, notably the lively performance of promising youngster Llywelyn Cremona, the growing influence of new Gambian midfielder Hamza Barry, who was ably supported by Ryan Fenech, Valletta’s new captain, and the second-half appearance of Edmond Agius who has finally ended the uncertainty over his future by agreeing a new three-year deal with the Citizens.
Despite seizing the initiative from the outset, Valletta were unable to translate their superior possession into goals in the first 45 minutes.
Cremona, operating behind Denni, was a dynamic figure in the early stages along with Barry who showed some neat footwork, albeit at times the Gambian’s stepovers in innocuous areas bore no tangible rewards.
After four minutes, Fenech’s crossfield pass invited Falzon to race past his marker and into the box but the latter’s cross-shot was blocked by La Fiorita goalkeeper Simone Montanari.
Falzon then turned provider as his left-wing cross eluded Cremona and glanced off Bajada.
Valletta stayed in ascendancy. Montanari parried away Denni’s curling effort on 14 minutes. The Brazilian stole the attention three minutes with a great piece of skill as he lofted the ball over his marker but his well-hit volley sailed over the bar.
Midway into the first half, La Fiorita produced a glimmer of a chance when Samuele Corbera crossed for Simone Confalone who was anticipated by Pietro Marino, the Valletta goalkeeper.
After Barry fired over from the distance, Valletta mustered an inviting opportunity as the unmarked Roderick Briffa guided a teasing cross into the box but Falzon fluffed the chance after colliding with Cremona as the two swooped for the ball.
Five minutes from the break, Marco Piccioni’s cross for La Fiorita was deflected away for a corner but it was Valletta who again went close to breaking the deadlock.
Denni’s angled shot was pushed aside by Montanari with the ball rolling invitingly to Falzon who miscued his flick.
The second half was off to a quiet start as both teams struggled for fluency in the sweltering heat.
Close to the hour, Fenech let fly a thunderous drive that whistled past the far post.
With Valletta 3-0 up on aggregate, Miller brought on Zammit and goalkeeper Yenz Cini. The latter was soon called into action as he rushed out of goal to block Corbera’s dangerous effort after Valletta had been caught off balance as La Fiorita broke on the counter. Jason Vandelannoite cleared the loose ball.
Bajada had a free-kick saved by Montanari before La Fiorita mounted another dangerous breakaway which ended with Nicola Cavalli volleying over from an inviting position.
Just when it looked as though the match would end goalless, Valletta won a penalty. Zammit was pushed by Alberto Mazzola as he raced towards the far post to reach Bajada’s cross.
The City striker sent Montanari the wrong way.
Valletta: P. Marino (60 Y. Cini), I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, L. Dimech, Denni, D. Falzon (57 I. Zammit), R. Fenech, H. Barry, J. Vandelannoite, S. Bajada, L. Cremona (70 E. Agius).
La Fiorita: S. Montanari, S. Confalone, F. Cecil (90 M. Pedrelli), A. Mazzola, N, Cavalli (83 A. Guidi), G. Bollini, M. Piccioni, Ezequiel Rinaldi (71 F.B. Silva), Emmanuel Rinaldi, S. Sorbera, A. Selva.
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones (Wales).
Yellow Cards: Bajada; Confalone; Vandelannoite; Emm. Rinaldi; Cecil; Agius.