Malta interim national team coach Davide Mazzotta expects his players to adopt an aggressive and attacking approach when they face Liechtenstein in an international friendly at the National Stadium on Thursday evening (kick-off: 7pm).
This will be Mazzotta’s second game in charge since he was given the reins of the team following the dismissal of previous coach Michele Marcolini and the Italian is looking to build on the positive start his stint which saw him overcome Moldova in the UEFA Nations League last month.
That win over Moldova has put Malta back in the race for automatic promotion, albeit their fate is still out of their hands.
Although the team is sharing top spot with Moldova, the former Soviet Republic enjoy a better goal difference in head-to-head matches and the Maltese will be hoping the Moldovans fail to beat Andorra on Saturday to secure top spot with a win over the Andorrans on Tuesday.
In the meantime, Mazzotta will be gearing up for their final match against Andorra with their warm-up clash against Liechtenstein this evening and the Italian has made it clear that he wants his team to make a step forward in terms of performance.
“I expect my players to face this match with great commitment, concentration and personality,” Mazzotta told Times of Malta.
“Many times, performances are the consequence of many unexpected factors and do not just depend on us. As always, we will try to play the match with an attacking mindset but at the say time stay humble.
“The way I look at the game of football is a complex idea but unique.
“One grows towards one direction. We attack with 11 players, and we defend in 11. So far, team spirit has always been very strong, and we will try to maintain this philosophy of team unity so that we are all determined to improve together in more than one area of the pitch.
“When we score a goal it’s thanks to the effort of everyone but when we concede it’s not the defence’s department’s fault but everyone.”
Turning his sights on the game against Liechtenstein, Mazzotta hinted that he is set to bring some new faces into the team so he understands how they can adapt to the team’s playing system.
“Against Liechtenstein we will try to be ourselves, which means aggressive when not in possession and attacking minded when we have the ball in our feet, but I’m expecting a game where we will need to do a lot of sacrifices and be patient,” Mazzotta said.
“We will have to make some changes in terms of starting formation as there are many who deserve to play at international level and give them the necessary time to adapt to our playing system and put into the practice the football that we are trying to play or else we will put in difficulty not just the individual but more importantly the whole team.
“International friendlies should be given a lot of importance and whoever will be representing us on the pitch was selected because he deserved it.”
Mazzotta’s future as permanent national team coach is yet to be clarified by the Malta FA, however, the early signs look promising.
Asked what needs to be done in the long-term to help the team continue to grow as a more competitive force in the international scene, Mazzotta said that it’s a long-term process and all stakeholders must be patient to follow a pre-set programme.
“It’s important that a clear technical plan is prepared and that the national team’s technical set-up is given the necessary time to work and reach its objectives,” Mazzotta said.
“To transfer a methodology and a set of football principles through a group of players is not something that is achieved easily.
“It’s vital that we are patient and are given time, something that it’s not always possible.
“The national team technical staff and myself have not been here for a long period and to build something you need a lot of time, and in football it’s no exception.
“The only way that we are successful is that we continue to work hard without making any excuses.
“The players know that if they give their all in every match they will be a great example for everyone.
“If we manage to achieve the results we are aspiring for all the young players will have the enthusiasm and the passion to try and get into our national team and help our country to achieve unprecedented results.”
