In the MD-1 press conference, Michele Marcolini, the head coach of the Malta national football teams, provided insights into the upcoming match against Ukraine, which is the last home game of the European qualifiers.
One of the notable aspects highlighted by Marcolini was Ukraine’s formation in the European qualifiers. He pointed out that, with the exception of their last game against North Macedonia, Ukraine had been using the same formation consistently. This suggests that Ukraine has established a well-defined style of play that Malta will need to contend with.
Marcolini acknowledged that the situation has evolved since Malta’s previous encounter with Ukraine in Slovakia. At that time, the Ukrainian coach had just taken charge, and the team had limited time to implement their tactics. However, Marcolini anticipates a different challenge this time, as Ukraine’s coach would have had more time to instill his football philosophy. This implies that Malta needs to adapt to a potentially transformed Ukrainian team.
Michele Marcolini provided information about the squad’s condition, noting that while Steve Borg would be back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension, Malta would still be missing key players, Jodi Jones and Teddy Teuma, due to injuries.
The head coach expressed his intent to make one or two changes to the starting lineup, suggesting that he is willing to experiment with different tactics and player combinations to face Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of considering players’ physical conditions and fatigue, especially those who have played several consecutive games.
Marcolini’s statements allude to the significance of the upcoming match against Ukraine, as they are vying for the second-place spot in the European qualifiers, with Italy being the other contender. This adds an extra layer of importance to the fixture, as it could have a significant impact on the final standings.
Yannick Yankam, highlighted the benefits of playing against top-tier teams like Ukraine. He emphasized that these high-level games provide a massive opportunity for players to compete against renowned opponents in front of large crowds. Yankam stressed that such experiences are invaluable for player growth and development
Malta will face Ukraine on Tuesday, October 17th, at 20:45 local time at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.
Source: MFA
Photos: Domenic Aquilina
