Malta Prepares for Friendly Against Czechia

The Malta national football team, under the guidance of coach Michele Marcolini, is set to face Czechia in a friendly match tomorrow at the Grodig Stadium in Austria, with the kick-off scheduled for 17:30. In the MD-1 press conference, Coach Marcolini provided insights into the team's preparations and mindset ahead of this match.
Marcolini emphasized that this match is another opportunity to assess the team's progress. He highlighted the positive outcomes from the recent international window and explained that the team has thoroughly analyzed these two past performances against Belarus and Slovenia, to identify mistakes and learn from them.  He also noted that the team's performances have been commendable, reflecting their gradual but steady improvement. "We are moving forward one step at a time," Marcolini remarked, expressing satisfaction with the players' commitment and attitude over the past three weeks.

The coach acknowledged the challenges posed by this international window, which comes after a grueling season. Many teams have been competing at full throttle across various competitions, making this period particularly demanding. Despite these challenges, Marcolini is focused on achieving a positive result against Czechia, which he believes will boost the team's confidence as they gear up for the Nations League.
Echoing the coach's sentiments, team member Steven Pisani reiterated the importance of this match as part of their preparation for the upcoming Nations League campaign in September. Pisani praised the team's work ethic during the intensive three-week training period, highlighting their dedication and focus.
Marcolini also addressed the squad's injury concerns. Key players such as Luke Montebello, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, and Yannick Yankam will be absent due to injuries. Additionally, Ferdinando Apap has been excused from this international window due to personal reasons, a decision that was mutually agreed upon with the coach.
Looking ahead to the match against Czechia, Marcolini acknowledged the formidable nature of their opponents. Czechia has successfully qualified for Euro 2024, a testament to their quality and strength. "They have very good players, and we know who we are," Marcolini stated. Despite the challenge, he remains confident in Malta's principles and hopes to deliver another strong performance.
As Malta prepares for this friendly, the focus remains on building momentum and confidence, setting the stage for a successful Nations League campaign.