Floriana will return to Malta needing a response after falling to a 4-2 defeat against Kosovo’s FC Ballkani in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, first leg tie played on Tuesday.
The match had initially looked promising for the Greens, especially after they took the lead twice in the first half. Yet, what could have been a valuable result quickly turned into a frustrating outcome, with Ballkani dominating proceedings, particularly after the break, and fully deserved the two-goal advantage.
From the outset, Ballkani made their intentions clear. Straight from kick-off, the Kosovo side kept the ball and morphed into an aggressive 2-4-4 attacking shape.
Their fullbacks pushed high and wide, two midfielders stayed central to either receive or drag Floriana players out of position, and the four attackers, occupying central and half-spaces, gave constant reference points for the build-up.
Floriana found it difficult to manage this structure, especially when the hosts transitioned into possession phases quickly.
Floriana coach Daniel Portela, reverted to a similar starting set-up as in the first leg of the Haverfordwest tie, this time appearing more like a 4-2-3-1 / 4-5-1 in defence.
Alejandro Garzia replaced the injured Carlo Zammit Lonardelli at right-back, while right-winger Mattia Veselji returned to the starting XI.
However, Floriana’s cautious approach, perhaps a reaction to Ballkani’s quality, ended up pinning them too deep, particularly after taking the lead.
Floriana’s early attacking plan focused on verticality – long balls into space for Moustapha Jah, exploiting his pace and physicality. It was a pragmatic approach that paid off early, but it also allowed Ballkani to control possession and slowly build momentum.
The Kosovo champions eventually struck back almost immediately, capitalising on the space and time afforded by Floriana’s passive shape.
A major threat throughout was Almir Kryeziu, the left-footed winger who consistently tormented Garzia in 1v1 situations. It was Kryeziu’s accurate cross that led to Ballkani’s equaliser. In the 2024-25 season, Kryeziu had five assists in 27 matches in the Kosovo top-flight.
Out of possession, Ballkani toggled between a mid-block and a high press. Their forward often applied light pressure, but the trigger came when the ball was passed to a full-back – a common modern pressing cue.
On Floriana’s goal kicks, Ballkani pressed high and compact, forcing goalkeeper Giacomo Cioletti to bypass the first phase with long kicks.
Portela’s side, meanwhile, did push Charles M’Mbombwa and Jake Grech forward in possession at times, leaving Dunstan Vella isolated in midfield.
However, at times, such an imbalance was exploited during transitions.
Floriana also looked shaky when building up from the back, with Ballkani’s press disrupting their rhythm and nearly forcing key turnovers.
Despite making no changes at the break, Ballkani stepped up their control, making an impactful tactical tweak.
In the second half, the Kosovan side built with three at the back and pushed five players high, often creating 5v4 overloads against Floriana’s defence.
Whenever Floriana managed to recover the ball, they rarely threatened with FC Ballkani immediately regrouping back in a matter of seconds, reflecting the commitment of all the players to recover the ball as quickly as possible.
Their positional discipline and patience in possession suffocated the Maltese side, who failed to register a single shot on target until the 88th minute.
Statistically, Ballkani dominated with 68% possession and 10 total shots (6 on target).
The defeat now leaves Floriana needing a massive effort in the second leg at home.
While the tie is not over, concerns over defensive organisation persist – Floriana have now conceded seven goals in three European games, and must address those issues quickly if they are to keep their Conference League hopes alive.
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