Hibernians can no longer hide their title ambitions as last weekend the Paolites took charge of this season’s Premier League title race after going top of the standings, one point clear of defending champions Valletta.
On Friday, the Paolites gave a glimpse of their championship pedigree when they managed to claw themselves twice from behind before grabbing a dramatic winner to overcome Birkirkara 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium.
For much of the season, Stefano Sanderra and his players had distanced themselves from talk of being among the favourites to win the title. They always maintained that the Paolites were a team that lacks the necessary experience to challenge for honours and that their only aim was to secure a return to European football this summer.
Now, results in Match Day 23 have guaranteed Hibernians a top-three finish and a European berth as their win over Birkirkara handed them an unassailable 11-point lead over fourth-place Sliema Wanderers and Ħamrun Spartans, to seal their main objective of this season.
With only three matches left, Sanderra admitted that he is keen to complete the job and seal what has been so far a brilliant season by winning the championship crown.
“I am really delighted that we have managed to achieve qualification to European football,” Sanderra told the Times of Malta.
“At the start of the season we faced a strong task in rebuilding a competitive team and qualification to UEFA club competitions was far from certain.
“Still, we are not finished yet. Being at the top of the standings with only three matches left gives us added stimulus to give our all and try and win the title. We have to play our chances in the best possible way and then see what happens. We need to give it a go.”
Friday’s dramatic win over Birkirkara was the latest in a series of matches that saw the Paolites come from behind to take all spoils in the Premier League this season.
Sanderra has heaped praise on his players.
“To be sincere in the closing stages of our match against Birkirkara I felt that something could have happened given our track record this season,” the Italian coach said.
“Throughout this campaign, the team has won several matches in the closing minutes and that shows that the players have a lot of heart and deserve a lot of credit for that.
“Added to that it is also a sign that the players are well prepared physically as it’s not easy to continue to play at a high intensity throughout the whole 90 minutes one match after another.”
The Hibs coach, however, has warned his players that now it was important that they show much more diligence if they are to stand the best chance to complete the job.
“With three matches to go now it’s time that we use more our head than our heart and try to be more diligent in how we conduct ourselves on the pitch,” Sanderra said.
“In the last few matches, the team has lost a bit of its tactical equilibrium as we committed too many mistakes and conceded some soft goals.
“So it’s important that we quickly regain our focus and prepare ourselves for our next match.”
The Hibernians coach said that he expects his players to adopt the same match-by-match approach they undertook throughout the season.
“I don’t want my players to look too much ahead but continue to focus one match at a time,” he said.
“It’s important that we put all our energies on our match against Qormi which will not be easy. We are facing a team who have the last chance to keep their place in the Premier League. Recently, they have made life difficult to several teams so we need to be ready.
“It’s key for us that we put all our energies on our next match against Qormi as a win would push us a step closer to realise our dream of winning the title.”
Next fixtures
Playing Saturday
National Stadium: 4pm Tarxien Rainbows vs Pieta Hotspurs; 6pm Birkirkara vs Mosta.
Sunday
National Stadium: 4pm Ħamrun Spartans vs Balzan; 6pm St Andrews vs Valletta.
Monday
Hibs Stadium: 7pm Gżira United vs Floriana.
Centenary Stadium: 6pm Sliema Wanderers vs Senglea Athletic; 8.15pm Hibernians vs Qormi.