Without a win in their last six matches, Floriana will be aiming to reassert their European credentials when they take on Balzan Youths this evening in what will be Joe Brincat’s first game in charge of the Greens.
Brincat, a former Malta international who enjoyed a successful spell with Floriana during his playing career, took over on Tuesday after being confirmed as the successor to Michael Woods who stepped down last week.
Floriana fans will doubtless hope that Brincat’s arrival will prompt an upturn in their team’s fortunes after the Greens slid to fourth in the table following back-to-back defeats to Birkirkara and Hibs.
“The aim of the club is to stay in contention for Europe,” Brincat told The Times. “The next game is very important, moreso when considering that we will face Valletta in the following fixture.
“We are focusing on the task at hand, knowing that all Championship Pool matches are difficult because all teams have their good qualities.
“Given that Floriana have not won in six games, our target is to gain the three points against Balzan and boost our European chances.”
Brincat can’t pick his team from a full squad today as John Mintoff and Duncan Pisani are ruled out by suspension.
Not all is doom and gloom for the former Vittoriosa Stars mentor though as four first-team players are back in the fray after serving suspension, namely captain Mano Micallef, Ivan Woods, Eric Akoto and goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo.
Tyrone Farrugia may also return before the end of the season as the lanky defender has made good progress in his recovery from a cruciate operation.
A coaching change usually spurs the players to raise their efforts and Brincat declared himself pleased with the effort and attitude of his squad since he took over the reins of the team.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank club president Johann Said and the committee for showing confidence in my abilities,” Brincat said. “With regards to the players, they’ve looked very motivated in training.
“A collective effort is needed for the team to get back on track but the determination the players have shown in training in the last two days makes me confident that we can achieve something.”
Balzan Youths have already surpassed expectations by clinching a top-six finish but that is not to say that they intend to sit back and take things lightly in the final weeks of the season.
The Reds reacted to their 7-2 thumping by Valletta with a gritty performance in a 3-3 draw with Sliema Wanderers on Monday and a win today would edge them close to the chasing pack as they trail Floriana and Sliema by four and two points respectively.
Clifton Ciantar, Dylan Grima and Miguel Ciantar are out of the equation for today’s game due to suspension but goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri returns after serving a one-match ban.
It has also emerged that Balzan are contemplating first-squad recalls for Albanian defender Bledjon Guga and Serbian midfielder Nikola Tasic who were not considered for selection for the Sliema game for disciplinary reasons.
Floriana beat Balzan 3-1 in their first meeting this season but the corresponding second-round game ended 2-2.
Today’s first match is a relegation duel between Mqabba and Marsaxlokk.
Buoyed by their 1-0 win over Mosta on Monday, Mqabba appear to have a psychological edge over the beleaguered Blues whose survival hopes took another hit last weekend after a 6-1 hiding at the hands of Ħamrun Spartans.
Mqabba midfielders Claudio Calleja and David Fenech picked up slight knocks during the Mosta match but coach Clive Mizzi is hopeful that both will declare themselves fit to play this evening.
Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona is expected to make some changes to his starting line-up, especially in defence, after the Blues shipped six goals in their game against Ħamrun.
Mqabba have a perfect record against Marsaxlokk this season, winning their previous encounters 2-0 and 1-0.
Programme
Today: Tedesco Stadium – 18.00 Mqabba vs Marsaxlokk; 20.15 Floriana vs Balzan.
Tomorrow: National Stadium – 14.00 Hibs vs Birkirkara; 16.00 Sliema vs Valletta.
Sunday: Hibs Stadium – 14.00 Mosta vs Tarxien; 16.00 Ħamrun vs Qormi.
Divisione One Fixtures
Today: Centenary Stadium – 18.00 Lija vs Naxxar; 20.00 Dingli vs Melita.