Pilloried in many quarters for an abject performance in the 6-0 defeat to Bulgaria on Friday, Malta will be looking to restore a modicum of pride when they meet Italy in tonight’s eagerly-anticipated World Cup qualifier at a packed National Stadium.

The contest is football’s equivalent of David vs Goliath as minnows Malta will be up against one of world football’s superpowers who, on Thursday, underlined their lofty status with a lively performance in a 2-2 draw with Brazil in a friendly.

The prospect of facing world-class stars like Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo is likely to send a shiver down the spine of our players.

Morale is at a low ebb after their chastening experience in snowbound Sofia but it is hoped that the gnawing frustration at Friday’s horror show and a dose of patriotism from the majority of the 17,000 fans who will flock to Ta’ Qali tonight will spur our team to a spirited display.

“We returned from Bulgaria with a heavy heart,” Malta coach Pietro Ghedin told a pre-match news conference yesterday.

“Tomorrow (today) we will strive to improve on Friday’s match. We are wary of the difficulty of this match and the commitment awaiting us but I want my players to approach it in the right way.”

Ghedin attributed Malta’s poor showing in Bulgaria to a number of factors, namely the adverse weather conditions, the strength of the opposition and individual errors which he described as “easy gifts”.

“Worse than this (Bulgaria game) it can’t get,” Ghedin said.

“We have to show that we can do much better. Sometimes football is strange. You never know how a game would evolve. There are occasions when you deserve to go down 5-0 but then you only lose 1-0.”

The national team players have been evaluating the Sofia upset in the hope of eradicating the errors that marred their match.

“We have talked about it and watched highlights on TV,” Ghedin said.

“We’ve been discussing collectively and assessing the real problems.”

We are wary of the difficulty of this match... but I want my players to approach it in the right way

In the aftermath of that Bulgaria match, some have suggested that Ghedin should make wholesale changes but the Italian insisted that there will be no knee-jerk reaction.

“There will be some changes. We have 19 players, so we can’t change all the starting 11,” Ghedin remarked wryly.

“We need experience and we need to respect the players. Football is no theatre.”

The 6-0 drubbing may have left a sour taste but Malta only need to look at their encouraging performance in the 2-0 defeat away to Italy last September to pluck up courage.

“We have had a year’s work with this squad, excluding the foreign-based players,” Ghedin said.

“Sometimes we are forced to change certain positions due to a lack of options. We try to weigh up every situation and choose the best solution. There are occasions when the game pans out badly for us as happened in Bulgaria.

“We’re aware of our limitations but we should not lose faith.

“Malta don’t have the luxury of choosing from a wide pool of players. We have 19 for this match and Italy are coming here with 26, they have two squads.”

Birkirkara midfielder Gareth Sciberras, whose industry was sorely missed on Friday, is set to return after recovering from a minor injury problem.

In defence, Sliema’s Alex Muscat is likely to get the nod at left-back with Ryan Camilleri set to be assigned the right-back role and Hibs team-mate Clayton Failla moved into midfield.

Andrew Hogg has been Ghedin’s first-choice goalkeeper but his place appears to be in jeopardy after a low-key outing in Sofia.

If the highlights of Malta’s qualifier in Bulgaria made for depressing viewing, not so can be said of Italy’s effort against Brazil which further highlighted the magnitude of the task awaiting our team tonight.

“I watched Italy-Brazil and the players also saw some of the highlights,” Ghedin said.

“The general view is that Italy deserved to win 5-2 against Brazil who are not a weak team.

“Prandelli’s work is clearly reaping the desired dividends. Italy have talented players. It’s true they lost the Euro 2012 final but this is a great Azzurri squad.”

Prandelli may opt for 4-3-3 today as the tactical switch at half-time saw Italy hit back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brazil on Thursday.

Balotelli capped an inspiring performance with a majestic strike after Daniele De Rossi, who is suspended for today’s qualifier, had reduced the deficit eight minutes into the second half.

Asked if he expects Italy to play 4-3-3 against Malta, Ghedin replied: “Italy can be very flexible tactically. They can play 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-3.

“They are compact and the players know how to adapt to every system. From our side, it’s important that we defend well and be alert to break forward quickly when we have possession.”

Ghedin must be hoping that Malta make him proud with a strong display against his native country.

“I’m Italian but I’m the coach of Malta,” Ghedin said.

“I spent 25 years working with the FIGC, I know all the people there and they are like a second family to me. Let’s just say that it will be a nice experience.”

Past encounters

World Cup
19-12-92: Malta-Italy - 1-2
24-03-93: Italy-Malta - 6-1
11-09-12: Italy-Malta - 2-0

Euro Championship
06-12-86: Malta-Italy - 0-2
24-01-87: Italy-Malta - 5-0

Probable line-ups
Malta (4-2-3-1): J. Haber (A. Hogg), J. Caruana, G. Sciberras, A. Muscat (A. Agius), L. Dimech, C. Failla, R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, R. Camilleri, A. Schembri, E. Herrera.

Italy (4-3-3): G. Buffon, I. Abate, L. Bonucci, A. Barzagli, M. De Sciglio, R. Montolivo, A. Pirlo, C. Marchisio, A. Cerci/E. Giaccherini, M. Balotelli, S. El Sharaawy.

Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (Netherlands).

Kick-off: 20.45.