Balzan’s title ambitions face another stern challenge in their quest for a historic championship as the Premier League leaders take on a rejuvenated Floriana side at the National Stadium tomorrow (kick-off: 4pm).

The Reds come into the match on the back of a grueling showdown against nearest rivals Valletta which saw Marko Micovic’s men fend off Valletta’s second-half pressure and hold out for a goalless draw that left them three points clear at the top of the standings.

However, things don’t get any easier for Balzan this weekend when they are up against a Floriana side who are back in the running for a top three finish following a 1-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans last weekend.

With eight matches to go, the title race is entering its final stretch and Balzan will be relying on all the experience of players such as Ryan Fenech who know what it takes to win the coveted crown.

“When you are fighting for the league title there are no easy matches and you have to be able to contend with the growing pressure each game brings with it,” Fenech told the Times of Malta.

“Last week I felt that we won a very important point against Valletta as had we lost the match they would have joined us at the top of the standings.

“Balzan always try to win every match but given the way things developed against Valletta I think we deserved to take a draw as we defended very well.

“No doubt, the result against Valletta has injected a lot of belief among our clan and hopefully we can go on and get the three points against Floriana to preserve our advantage over our nearest rivals.”

Balzan were already in this position last season as with eight matches left they looked on course to lift their first-ever championship crown.

However, defeats to Valletta (1-0), Hibernians (3-1) and Birkirkara (3-1) left their hopes in tatters and had to settle for second place behind champions Hibernians.

Fenech said that the team had learnt a lot from last season and was confident that this year they are better prepared for the title run-in.

“Last year it was a heart-breaking experience as we all but threw away our title challenge in the space of a month,” the former Ħamrun Spartans midfielder said.

“Hopefully this year things will be different and our result against Valletta already shows that we are on the right track.

“Our goal against Floriana is to take all three points to hopefully increase the gap with our nearest rivals.

“To go at the top of the standings is a great accomplishment but to keep your place there is much more demanding.

“The pressure will grow week after week but at the moment there is great team spirit and our goal is to keep working hard and hopefully remain consistent until the end of the season.”

Balzan will be without their coach Marko Micovic for tomorrow’s match against Floriana as the Serbian coach must serve a one-match touchline ban for passing remarks against the officials at the end of the match against Valletta.

Serbian duo Uros Ljubomirac and Milos Lepovic also miss out as they were handed a one match suspension after seeing red against Valletta.

While Balzan are fully focused on preserving their title challenge, Floriana, on the other hand, are hell-bent on picking up maximum spoils to keep alive their hopes of a top three finish that would guarantee them a place in the Europa League qualifiers this summer.

Momentum

The Greens are just two points adrift of third-placed Gżira United and Birkirkara and coach Nicholas Chiesa is hopeful the players can pick up the momentum following their win over Ħamrun.

“The win against Ħamrun was very important for us as it put us back on track after two disappointing defeats against Hibernians and St Andrews,” the Argentine said.

“Honestly, our performances in these matches were very good but our hopes of victory were dashed by a couple of episodes during the match that went against us.

“Fortunately, the win against Ħamrun has lifted the spirits in our camp and we now look forward to keep up the momentum with another strong showing against Balzan.”

Chiesa admitted that Balzan will provide a very tough test to his players, however, he believes that Floriana have enough quality in the squad to upset the leaders.

“Balzan are the top side in the division and we will give them the respect they deserve,” Chiesa said.

“When you are facing the league leaders you know that you will be in for a very difficult match. This week we have prepared the match well to ensure that we are ready to perform on the day.

“Surely we need to be playing our best football and be ready to suffer in tough moments of the match. But I believe a lot in the work put in by my players and we are going out to take the three points.”

Chiesa is unable to field his strongest formation as Argentine striker Ignacio Varela is out with a long term injury while winger Maurizio Vella will serve the second of a three-match suspension.

First round result: Floriana vs Balzan 1-1.

PROGRAMME

TODAY
Centenary Stadium: 7pm St Andrews vs Mosta.
Hibs Stadium: 6pm Lija Athletic vs Valletta; 8pm Hibernians vs Senglea.

TOMORROW
National Stadium: 2pm Birkirkara vs Sliema W.; 4pm Balzan vs Floriana.
Tedesco Stadium: 2pm Tarxien Rainbows vs Naxxar Lions; 4.15pm Ħamrun Spartans vs Gżira United.