Malta national team coach Emilio De Leo and veteran defender Steve Borg addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s international friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will mark Borg’s final appearance for the national side.
De Leo began by welcoming back players who return to the squad following suspension, noting that the team has had limited time to implement major changes. He emphasized the importance of every match, including friendlies, as opportunities to assess progress and development.
“We didn’t have much time to change a lot of things,” De Leo said. “For this team, even friendlies are important because they are tests to see where we have arrived and what we have achieved.”
When asked how Malta plans to contain Bosnia’s star striker Edin Džeko, the coach underlined the importance of collective organisation over focusing on individual opponents.
“We have now got used to playing against players of this level. It’s not just about one individual — it’s the organisation of the whole team that counts,” De Leo explained. “We’ve shown this in our first games. Of course, we know Džeko’s talent, and we will pay attention, cover the ball, but our strategy remains to stay an organised team.”
Sunday’s match will be a special occasion for Steve Borg, who will hang up his international boots after a remarkable 81 appearances for Malta at the age of 37. Reflecting on his career, Borg said that every match has been an honour and that he will cherish the memories of representing his country.
“There aren’t any games I’d want to forget — it’s always an honour to wear the national shirt,” Borg said. “Playing in big, packed stadiums is always a great experience, but I’ll always treasure the win against Latvia, when I scored the winning goal in the 95th minute to give Malta three points.”
Asked whether he sees any young player capable of following in his footsteps, Borg humbly highlighted the potential of the next generation.
“They all have their strengths — I don’t feel special. They’re great in their own way,” he said. “Playing for the national team is a dream, and I’ll always try to help the young ones achieve it.”
Coach De Leo paid tribute to Borg’s professionalism and character, describing him as a role model on and off the pitch.
“When I arrived, I found a professional player and a special person who was always available,” De Leo said. “I always stress that values are actions — and he embodied that. He showed determination, humility, and resilience, not just with words but through his behaviour and example. He has paved the way for others and remains an inspiration to the younger players.”
The Malta vs Bosnia and Herzegovina international friendly match will take place on Sunday, 12th October, at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm.
Source: MFA
Photo: MFA
