Derby encounters between Valletta and Floriana are usually highly-charged affairs, regardless of the two clubs’ position in the standings.
Given that the third-placed Valletta are only one point ahead of their rejuvenated rivals, their second-round showdown this afternoon at the National Stadium (16.00) has taken on an added edge as both teams will be going all out f to strengthen their title push.
Knowing that the Valletta faithful crave a win in the derby more than anything else, coach Paul Zammit has called on his players to repay their supporters’ backing with a win.
“The derby between Valletta and Floriana always evokes strong emotions, irrespective of the teams’ position in the classification,” Zammit told Times of Malta.
“For the supporters especially, this fixture has huge importance. I like my teams to be close to the fans and we have a chance to do so this weekend.
“I must say that, this season, our supporters have been very helpful, they continued to back the team even in difficult moments.”
Zammit has a lot of respect for Floriana.
“Since Riccardo Gaucci took over as club president, Floriana have improved tremendously,” Zammit observed.
“Their first priority was to establish a solid structure and I believe they have done that but, year after year, they also continued to reinforce their squad.
“At the start of the season, few talked about Floriana’s potential but they have a very competitive squad.”
Both Floriana and Valletta advanced to the last 16 of the FA Trophy in midweek but they did it in contrasting fashion.
While the Greens were never troubled in their 5-0 mauling of Birżebbuġa St Peters, Valletta looked sluggish for most of their game against Division Two side San Ġwann, relying on Umeh Calistus’s first-half goal to go through.
Although the champions have only sparkled sporadically this season, they are still on course to win the treble as they are very much in the title race, have reached the fourth round of the FA Trophy and, on Wednesday, they meet Sliema Wanderers in the Super Cup final.
Indubitably, a derby win would constitute the perfect tonic for Valletta ahead of the Super Cup as well as for the remainder of the season.
“This game will not decide our season,” Zammit said.
“This is the fourth leg of an important five-game series and there is no doubt that three points from the derby would give us a psychological boost.”
The City coach has injury concerns as the likes of Federico Falcone, Jhonnattann, Steve Borg and Valdo Alhinho are ranked doubtful.
Young winger Jurgen Suda has joined Pietà on loan until the end of the season while wing-back Ian Azzopardi left Valletta to join Gżira United, also on a loan deal.
Unbeaten in their last eight league games, Floriana have good reason to be upbeat about their chances of replicating their first-round win over Valletta but coach Giovanni Tedesco urged caution.
“There is more optimism and more confidence but at the same time we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground,” Tedesco said.
“We need to approach the game in the right manner, we certainly can’t get ahead of ourselves and always keep in mind that we are facing the champions.
“One thing that has distinguished our campaign so far is that we are taking it one game at a time and indulge in less talk.”
Tedesco knows that the level of anticipation and enthusiasm is sky-high before a derby clash but he’s relishing the occasion.
“The derby is different, it’s not like the other games,” Tedesco said.
“It’s easy to prepare for these games because the players are very motivated. I hope the rivalry translates itself into an exciting match, a feast of football for the fans.”
For many years, Floriana had failed to beat Valletta in the league but they have broken their derby jinx after winning the last two clashes.
Tedesco warned that Valletta remain a massive threat.
“They are the current champions and their coach (Paul Zammit) has won everything here,” Tedesco said.
“Valletta still have a core of national team players and in Falcone and Jhonnattann, they have two strikers who can decide a game at any time.
“They are perhaps less entertaining to watch compared to last season but Valletta are still a very strong team.”
Senegalese winger Amadou Samb is out as he must serve a one-match ban but Argentine striker Ignacio Varela is back in the frame.
Italian defender Enrico Pepe is struggling with injury.
First round: Floriana vs Valletta 2-0.
Jorginho back for Hibs
■ Hibernians are buoyed by the return of key striker Jorginho for their top-of-the table clash with nearest rivals Balzan this afternoon at the National Stadium (14.00).
The Brazilian forward, back from injury, is set to spearhead the forward line as the Paolites look to protect their two-point lead over the Reds in what promises to be a fascinating encounter.
Mark Miller, the Hibs coach is still without wing-back Clayton Failla who is struggling with an ankle injury.
Brazilian winger Renan Pimenta Telles will miss today’s game after receiving a one-match ban for four cautions yesterday.
Balzan will be without defender Samir Arab, who must serve a one-match ban, while Steve Bezzina, who picked up an injury in the 2-2 draw against Valletta, faces a late fitness test. Right-back Justin Grioli is still sidelined with injury.
First round: Hibernians vs Balzan 0-2.
Strugglers in direct duel
■ Gżira United face a second relegation showdown in the space of a week when, weather-permitting, they take on Pembroke Athleta at the Hibs Stadium tomorrow (14.00).
The Maroons are coming from a week of contrasting fortunes. After their impressive 3-0 win over Mosta last Sunday, Gżira were brought back to earth in midweek following a shock 3-2 defeat to Vittoriosa Stars in the third round of the FA Trophy.
Coach Darren Abdilla will hope his players produce the right response against the bottom-placed Pembroke who showed signs of improvement when holding Hibs 1-1 last Sunday before beating Sirens 2-1 in the cup in midweek.
Abdilla must cope without influential defender Souleymane Diamoutene, suspended, while Jurgen Borg and Dyson Falzon are still injured. This week, Gżira signed Ian Azzopardi on loan from Valletta but the experienced left-back must wait until January before making his debut for his new club.
Pembroke will be without Brazilian striker Bernardo Mariano, who suffered a head injury in midweek, but otherwise Macedonian coach Artim Shakiri can bank on a full squad.
First round: Gżira vs Pembroke 3-0.
Scerri boost for Sliema
■ Sliema Wanderers will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they face an improved St Andrews side tomorrow at the Tedesco Stadium (14.00).
The Blues are in high spirits as back-to-back wins over Gżira and Birkirkara pushed them closer to the leading teams.
Coach John Buttigieg is eyeing another psychological tonic ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup clash with Valletta.
He is boosted by the return of midfielder Mark Scerri but Serbian defender Marko Potezica is still struggling with a groin problem.
St Andrews will be bidding to build on last week’s 3-1 win over Ħamrun Spartans as they look to distance themselves further from the relegation places.
Coach Danilo Doncic has no selection problems.
First round: Sliema vs St Andrews 0-3.
Pressure grows on Stripes
■ Birkirkara are under pressure to put their season back on track when they face the struggling Mosta at the Hibs Stadium tomorrow (16.00).
Back-to-back defeats to Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers have dented the Stripes’ title credentials.
Nikola Jaros, the Birkirkara coach, is boosted by the return from suspension of Srdjan Dimitrov and Nikola Vukanac while midfielder Edmond Agius is also available for selection.
Agius has been out for several months after undergoing back surgery in Croatia.
Uruguayan forward Gonzalo Malan, who joined the Stripes this week, will be eligible for selection from next month.
Mosta are in the doldrums after a dismal campaign plagued by instability on and off the pitch. Earlier this week, they sacked coach Ivan Zammit with Mark Marlow taking temporary charge of the team for tomorrow’s match.
Defender Kurt Magro, who received verbal abuse from Mosta fans in the defeat to Gżira, has parted ways with the club.
Cameroonian winger Njongo Priso starts a four-match ban and Jamaican midfielder Raylon Paisley is out with a knee injury.
First round: Mosta vs Birkirkara 0-2.
Spartans without key duo
■ Ħamrun Spartans will be without a host of key personnel when they host Tarxien Rainbows at the Tedesco Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 16.15).
The Spartans are still counting the cost of their 3-1 defeat to St Andrews as defenders Luis Vergara and Raphael are suspended after seeing red against the Saints.
Jonathan Holland, the Spartans’ caretaker coach, must watch the game from the stands as he starts a two-match touchline ban.
Matthew Farrugia has joined fellow goalkeeper David Cassar in the treatment room after suffering an injury last Saturday.
Tarxien, for their part, will have to do without Spanish midfielder Sergio Prendes, suspended, but otherwise Jesmond Zerafa has no selection issues as he seeks to steer his team to a win after successive draws.
First round: Tarxien vs Ħamrun 2-1.