Sliema Wanderers coach Paul Zammit and his Birkirkara counterpart Stefano De Angelis are focused on guiding their team into the final as the two rivals face off in the opening semi-final of the Final Four on Sunday evening (kick-off: 6pm).
The 360 Sports Malta Premier enters into its decisive stage between today and tomorrow when the Top Four semi-finals are played at the National Stadium with all four participating teams gunning to lift the championship crown on May 10 under a new format.
Sliema Wanderers head into today’s semi-final with their morale sky high as Paul Zammit’s men have undoubtedly been the most in-form side in the Closing Round.
The Blues’ current hot form is a major contrast to the poor results attained by the team at the start of the year, and Zammit admitted that the players deserve to take most of the credit for the hard work and resilience shown.
“To be able to arrive here after such a long season, it’s all down to the resilience shown by my players,” Zammit said.
“Throughout this season, we went through a lot of ups and downs, but the players never gave up and managed to come back from the dead to put themselves back in contention.
“However, having said that, everything that we have achieved so far will matter little on Sunday. It’s all about how the teams perform on the day that will decide if we make it to the final or not.
“If you look at our run in the Top Six, we won several matches, but then against Marsaxlokk we had an off-day and we deserved to lose the match, and that is something we cannot afford to do on Sunday.
“During the past few days we have prepared a lot for this match and hopefully, the players will produce their best possible display, which can take us to the final.”
On his part, Sliema skipper Steve Pisani heaped praise on the qualities of today’s opponents Birkirkara. However, he warned that the spirits are high in the Sliema clan and they are ready to go all the way.
“All four teams that qualified for the Final Four are very strong sides,” Pisani said.
“Everyone is aware of the undoubted qualities of a side like Birkirkara. They were very strong in the first part of the campaign.
Character
“We may have had difficulties at the start of the season, but we have recovered well and I have full trust in the quality of our squad. The character shown by the team in the past few weeks has been amazing, and we are brimming with confidence and determined to go all the way.”
On his part, Birkirkara coach Stefan De Angelis hailed his team’s character after their gutsy showing against Floriana and said more of the same is needed if they are to see of Sliema and reach the final.
“I never get tired of praising the character and the determination of my group of players,” the Italian coach said.
“Against Floriana, the players gave a clear example of what they are made of, as although everyone believed that Floriana would beat us, the players produced a fighting display and deservedly moved into the Final Four.
“All four teams that are in the Final Four are the best this championship has to offer. We are facing the most in-form side of the championship at the moment and we need to be at the very best to beat them.
“I hope the players show the same intensity and hunger shown against Floriana to ensure we get the result everyone at the club is craving for.”
De Angelis said that he is currently sweating on the fitness of Manuel Morello but is hopeful of having the winger back available for the match.
On his part, Birkirkara midfielder Alex Satariano said that these are the kind of matches that motivate players to give their best.
“These are the kind of matches that we live for,” Satariano said.
“All teams in the Final Four want to win and the level of motivation is very high. It’s important that we approach this match against Sliema with the same mentality we showed against Floriana.
“Obviously, playing three matches in the space of a week leaves a bit of toll in terms of physical condition, but if
you train well and recover well you can perform at your best.
“From a mental point of view, it’s an advantage that matches are coming thick and fast as having only two or three days from one match to another you don’t have much time to think on the task.
“At the end of the day, we need to go out and give everything we have to ensure we get the result everyone at the club is craving for.”
