Watch: Zauri wants Ħamrun Spartans to show their strength against fierce rivals Valletta

Ħamrun Spartans coach Luciano Zauri is urging his players to bounce back from last week’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Sliema Wanderers when the Malta champions take on Valletta at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.

Last week’s draw against Sliema saw the Spartans drop their first points of the season but Zauri has issued a rallying cry to his players to produce the right response to that setback with victory over their fierce rivals on Saturday.

“After last week’s draw against Sliema Wanderers, there is a great will from the players to try and get back to winning ways,” Zauri told the Times of Malta.

“The preparations for this match went very well and we have fully recovered all the players in our squad. We are really looking forward to this fixture as it will be a great game to experience both from the inside and from the outside .

“There is a great expectation with a huge crowd expected to be present and we want to do all we can to try and bring home the three points.”

Last week, the Spartans were at their best against Sliema Wanderers as despite taking a first-half lead through Luke Montebello, their level of performance deteriorated after the break and ended up conceding an equaliser.

Zauri was clear that his team must play their best football if they are to beat Valletta.

“It is fundamental for us that we play at our best,” he said.

“We are a team that loves to play good football in all matches. We are aware that it’s not easy to win matches as our opponents always do all they can to win the game themselves. Valletta will surely try and do all they can to take the three points. But there is nothing to fear from our part as we are going into the match fully determined to play at our best. 

“Valletta have just changed their first-team coach and that always brings in new energy as shown by their win over Marsaxlokk. But we must focus on ourselves as we know that we are a great team and we are ready to do the job against Valletta.”