Ħamrun Spartans coach Alessandro Zinnari has issued a rallying cry for his players to stand up and be counted as the Reds look to overturn last week’s 1-0 defeat to Lincoln Red Imps in this evening’s UEFA Champions League first qualifying round second-leg tie at the Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar.
An Ethan Britto goal late in the first half has given the advantage to the Gibraltar side. However, the Spartans’ bright showing in the first leg, particularly given that they had to play the whole match with ten men following the dismissal of Elionay, has infused optimism of managing to turn the tie in their favour.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, Zinnari said that he is confident that the Malta champions had what it takes to overturn the tie in their favour.
“We are really looking forward to the match,” Zinnari said.
“There is great optimism among our clan that we can play a great match. We have belief that we can have our say in the tie and secure the result we need to advance in such a prestigious competition.
“Honestly, I was only unhappy with the final result of last week’s match. When you lose a match you can never be happy. I don’t think that we deserved that result when you consider the fine performance produced by the team.
“When I analysed the data, I was even more disappointed for failing to take at least a draw from the game.
“We had 15 attempts on goal and produced 20 crosses from our flank players but we still failed to find the equaliser. Our dominance was evident, the only thing we missed was to put the ball into the back of the net.”
The Ħamrun Spartans coach said that it was important that his players are patient throughout the match and do not make rash decisions that could prejudicate their chances of qualification.
“I understand that there is a lot of hunger to make things right, but we need to be mature and be patient,” the former Santa Lucia coach said.
“I can assure everyone that we will give our 100 per cent effort to secure overall victory in the tie. There is a bit of pressure, but the players must understand that we have 90 minutes to turn around the tie.
“It’s important that we adopt a patient approach and don’t commit silly mistakes that can cost us the tie. We are playing against a team who are very experienced in such matches, but we too boast of players that have such know-how.”
Zinnari said that he has no fresh selection problems with the only player ruled out of the match is Elionay Freitas, who must serve suspension.
“We want to create history for our club and for our fans and we will give it our best shot,” Zinnari said.
“Lincoln Red Imps are a good team but I believe that we have the qualities to beat them on Tuesday.
“We owe it to our fans who supported us last week and to the club administration who worked so hard so that we can live this European dream.”
Ħamrun Spartans coach Alessandro Zinnari has issued a rallying cry for his players to stand up and be counted as the Reds look to overturn last week’s 1-0 defeat to Lincoln Red Imps in this evening’s UEFA Champions League first qualifying round second leg tie at the Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar.
An Ethan Britto goal late in the first half has given the advantage to the Gibraltar side. However, the Spartans’ bright showing in the first leg, particularly given that they had to play the whole match with ten men following the dismissal of Elionay, has infused optimism of managing to turn the tie in their favour.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, Zinnari said that he is confident that the Malta champions had what it takes to overturn the tie in their favour.
“We are looking forward to the match,” Zinnari said.
“There is great optimism among our clan that we can play a great match. We have belief that we can have our say in the tie and secure the result we need to advance in such a prestigious competition.
“Honestly, I was only unhappy with the final result of last week’s match. When you lose a match you can never be happy. I don’t think that we deserved that result when you consider the fine performance produced by the team.
“When I analysed the data, I was even more disappointed for failing to take at least a draw from the game.
“We had 15 attempts on goal and produced 20 crosses from our flank players but we still failed to find the equaliser. Our dominance was evident, the only thing we missed was to put the ball into the back of the net.”
The Ħamrun Spartans coach said that it was important that his players are patient throughout the match and do not take rash decisions that could prejudicate their chances of qualification.
“I understand that there is a lot of hunger to make things right, but we need to be mature and be patient,” the former Santa Lucia coach said.
“I can assure everyone that we will give our 100 per cent effort to secure overall victory in the tie. There is a bit of pressure, but the players must understand that we have 90 minutes to turn around the tie.
“It’s important that we adopt a patient approach and don’t commit silly mistakes that can cost us the tie. We are playing against a team who are very experienced in such matches, but we too boast of players that have such know-how.”
Zinnari said that he has no fresh selection problems with the only player ruled out of the match is Elionay Freitas, who must serve suspension.
“We want to create history for our club and for our fans and we will give it our best shot,” Zinnari said.
“Lincoln Red Imps are a good team but I believe that we have the qualities to beat them on Tuesday.
“We owe it to our fans who supported us last week and to the club administration who worked so hard so that we can live this European dream.”
