Team progress is top priority for Malta coaches

Malta’s main objective for tomorrow’s friendly match against Liechtenstein (18.00) is to consolidate the progress shown in recent matches as part of the ongoing project to achieve sustained improvement in the long term. This was the message emphasised by Davide Mazzotta and Guillermo Giacomazzi, the Malta assistant coaches, as they addressed the pre-match press conference ahead of the friendly at the National Stadium which is also part of the national team’s build-up for the UEFA Nations League Group D1 home matches against Andorra and Faroe Islands. “It’s a match that should help us grow further as a team and keep progressing along the path charted by the head coach (Devis Mangia),” Mazzotta said. “It will also be an opportunity to field some young players who have recently joined the senior squad. This ongoing process is based on the coach’s philosophy, trying to see more players and having a large squad at our disposal. “We are certainly not underestimating anything, all games are important and must be approached with the same commitment and determination.” Giacomazzi, the former Uruguay and Lecce midfielder, shared Mazzotta’s views. “We are in the early phase of a project,” he said. “We still have plenty of work to do and ample room for improvement but we are on the right track, There are many good players here, there is a lot of enthusiasm and all we want is to advance our idea and philosophy, and working with as many players as possible. “There is a great collective willingness from us as coaches as well as the players, and that is very important. Regardless of who will play tomorrow, the playing philosophy and the performance are the most important things.” The friendly against Liechtenstein has added significance as it will mark the end of Michael Mifsud’s 20-year international career. A good performance and a positive result would certainly add further prestige to the occasion with Mazzotta insisting that the coaches expect the same committed and determined approach from the players. “It would be nice to honour Michael with a good performance,” Mazzotta said. “Tomorrow will certainly be a memorable day, for Michael’s career and what he has given to Maltese football but also for what Maltese football has given to him. “The team will do it utmost to put him (Mifsud) at ease, seeking good collaboration. Nevertheless, the commitment for the match apart from honouring a team-mate can’t be underestimated. We want and expect the team to give their best and have a great match. “All matches, be they friendlies, UEFA Nations League or World Cup qualifiers, are importan and all are to be approached with the same intent of playing our game as instructed by the coach. Nothing changes. This is the mentality of the coach – the objective is always the same, to play our game, according to our ideas and the identity we are trying to create, targeting the team’s exponential growth in a constant and gradual manner.”