Speaking to journalists ahead of Friday’s opening game against Finland in Group G of their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Malta’s new coach Emilio De Leo was upbeat about his first game in charge of the national team.
He described his first meetings with the players as extremely positive and said they were ready and eager to learn and adapt to his tactics. Positive is how he described their attitude, a word he uses to stress how keen the players are to learn and improve.
Finland are physically strong, he said but Malta should not be afraid of them. Concentrate on our own game, he said.
Training has gone well, said coach De Leo and when the chances arise, we need to show our qualities and be ready to attack. Already he can see improvements in the players and they need to believe in themselves.
Coach De Leo would not be drawn on tactics against Finland but Malta must to ready to push forward and attack when the chance arose.
Matthew Guillaumier said there is a good mix of experience and new young players in the squad. The players are good technically and the introduction of new players will only help.
