Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit is cautiously upbeat about his team’s chances ahead of the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round match against Metalurg Skopje this evening at the Bashkimi Stadium (kick-off 17.00).
After a 2-2 draw in the initial leg, the Stripes face an uphill battle to set up a clash with Poland’s Ruch Chorzow as, to advance, they need to beat Metalurg or figure in a high-scoring draw, but their sprightly display in last week’s match has given Zammit cause for optimism.
“We’re heartened by our showing in the home leg,” Zammit told The Times.
“What we will try to do is build on that but if there’s a slight drop in the level of our performance, we will be in trouble.
“They have the advantage of scoring two away goals. The result in Malta would have been different had we been more focused in certain episodes during the game.
“We committed mistakes and paid a high price. So, we can’t afford to repeat those failings in the next match.
“If the performance in the first leg serves as a base for our game here, our chances (of qualifying) will increase.”
Apart from keeping their hopes alive, Birkirkara’s effort last week also had an uplifting effect on the players’ morale.
“We’ve been working for these games since the start of June,” Zammit said.
“The aim was to reach our peak condition, for this time of the season, at around July 5. The players are in the best form they can possibly be.
“The performance and result last week increased our confidence but I will repeat my warning that if we don’t play with the same commitment and attitude, we will have problems.”
Birkirkara’s formation is unlikely to differ much from the first leg but Gareth Sciberras, back in the frame after missing last week’s match because of a hand injury, is set for a starting role.
Nikola Vukanac, Paul Fenech and Joseph Zerafa picked up minor injuries last week but are expected to be declared fit to play this evening.
Metalurg Skopje served early notice of their counter-attacking threat, taking the lead inside the opening two minutes of last Thursday’s match after a fast breakaway, but they struggled to make an impression thereafter.
Late equaliser
Birkirkara were the brighter side for most of the game, especially in the second half, but needed a late goal from substitute Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza to salvage a draw after Metalurg had scored their second soon after Jorge’s temporary equaliser.
The Macedonian team will surely not underestimate Birkirkara after what they’ve seen at the Hibs Stadium last week but the match was also an opportunity for Zammit to evaluate Metalurg’s traits at close quarters.
“We know each other better after last week,” Zammit said.
“There could be some changes in team tactics here.
“They may opt to protect the result of the first leg, as at 2-2, they will go through but as I said last week, counter-attacks are Metalurg’s forte. They can play to their strengths and if we lose concentration, they can hurt us on the counter.”
The referee of today’s game is Alexander Harkam, of Austria.