Malta coach De Leo not underestimating ‘dangerous’ Lithuania side in World Cup qualifier

Malta coach wary of opponents’ quick transitions

Malta national team’s head coach Emilio De Leo is not underestimating the threat posed by Lithuania and has warned his players to keep their focus throughout the 90 minutes if they are to pick up some points from today’s World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium (kick-off: 6pm).

The national team head into this evening’s game still in search of their first point and their first goal, and while on paper, one might think that Lithuania represents an excellent opportunity for the team to open their account duck in the qualifiers, the former Russian Republic have already shown that they are a dangerous side.

In their first two outings, the Lithuanians came back from two goals down to hold Finland to a 2-2 draw while they put on a fighting display before bowing to a 2-1 defeat to Poland.

De Leo made it clear that they are not feeling any extra pressure to pick up points but wants his players to keep working hard as they did from the first day, and has no doubts that this approach will reward his players in the long run.

“We are not thinking much about the expectations of the fans or feel any form of pressure to win points,” the Malta coach said.

“The team has continued to work hard and with the same intensity as they did from the first day that I came here, and there is a great hunger to win football matches.

“We know that Lithuania are a very dangerous side and we must keep our normal approach. I have a lot of belief in the players that I have at my disposal and since we started working for these qualifiers, they quickly switched on our principles of play and attitude and that is very important.”

Asked to give his views on Lithuania, De Leo said that he expects a very physical approach from today’s opponents.

“Lithuania are a very organised side, full of experienced players who are tactically very good,” the Italian coach said.

“It will be very important for us to read well the game of our opponents to try and hurt them with our qualities, but it will not be easy. Their squad is full of talented players, who are very dangerous with swift transitions.

“In Gvidas Gineitis, Lithuania has a real gem. I have followed him for the past two years and he has done very well to show his talent in the Italian Serie A. Congratulations to him, as it’s not easy to showcase your ability in a difficult championship like the Serie A.

Scoring difficulties

Asked whether he is concerned by Malta’s scoring struggles in recent matches, De Leo did not seem concerned by this deficiency.

“I am not too worried about it to be honest,” De Leo said.

“In our first two qualifiers, the team has managed to express the kind of football that I want, and especially against Finland, we created so many chances where we could have scored.

“If on Saturday, we are capable of creating so many chances I am confident that we will manage to put the ball into the net.”

For the match against Lithuania, De Leo is without Kurt Shaw, Ilas Chouaref and Gabriel Mentz who are all suspended but is boosted by the return of UK-based Jodi Jones.

The Italian was delighted with what he saw from the Notts County player.

“I didn’t know Jodi Jones before this week, but he is a very talented player who has immediately shown a lot of enthusiasm and application to enter into our tactical set-up.

“I can’t say why Jodi Jones has missed so many matches for Malta, but he has fitted well in the group, and the most important thing is that he works hard.”

On his part, Alex Satariano, who is coming from a fine season with Birkirkara and was honoured by being named Player of the Year by both the Malta FA and the MFPA said that his main focus was not on his personal honours, but helping his team to deliver against Lithuania.

“It has been a great season for me, it’s true, but while I am happy with my awards, my main focus now is fully on international football with Malta, as I know that we are facing a very tough challenge,” Satariano said.

“The level of international football is far higher than our domestic league, so it’s a major challenge both for me and my team-mates to ensure we step up our game and help the team achieve a possible result.”