Zammit Lonardelli and Busuttil named in Malta squad for friendly double-header

Malta national teams head coach Michele Marcolini named a 27-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Slovenia and Belarus this month.

The national team will step up their preparations for this year’s UEFA Nations League commitments when they face Slovenia on March 21 and then take on Belarus on March 26, with both matches being played at the National Stadium.

For these fixtures, Marcolini has brought in some young talent into his pool.

The Italian coach has named in his squad Floriana wingback Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, who will be making his first-ever appearance in the group, Balzan’s attacking midfielder Jan Busuttil as well as Dunstan Vella, who is also on the books of Floriana.

Zammit Lonardelli and Vella have been enjoying a great campaign with Floriana as they have played an influential role in helping the team go top in the Premier League standings.

On the other hand, Busuttil seems to have nearing his best form since leaving Floriana in January and joining Balzan on a permanent transfer.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Matthew Grech (Zabbar St Patrick’s).

Defenders: Ferdinando Apap (Hibernians), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Steve Borg (Ħamrun Spartans), Zach Muscat (Farense), Enrico Pepe (Birkirkara), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians).

Midfielders: Cain Attard (CF Os Belenenses), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers), Jan Busuttil (Balzan FC), Juan Corbalan (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna), Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Nikolai Muscat (Marsaxlokk), Brandon Paiber (Valletta), Steven Pisani (Santa Lucia), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims), Dunstan Vella (Floriana), Yannick Yankam (Lexington), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Forwards: Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana FC), Nevin Portelli (Marsaxlokk), Kemar Reid (Floriana).