Birkirkara coach Stefano De Angelis (right) and captain Leandro Lacunza addressing the media. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The 2025-26 Premier League season is set for an explosive start as two traditional rivals of Maltese football, Birkirkara and Valletta, will kick off the new campaign when they face off at the National Stadium on Saturday evening (kick-off: 6:45pm).
There is great anticipation for the second top-flight championship under the innovative format introduced by the Malta Premier League last season, and a growing consensus is emerging that another hard-fought campaign is in store, with more than one team capable of lifting the crown at the end of the season.
Birkirkara have good cause to try and make up for last season’s disappointing finale of the campaign, which saw them first lose the Top Four final against Ħamrun Spartans and then suffer more heartbreak when losing the FA Trophy final against Hibernians.
In the close season, the Stripes have lost some key personnel like skipper Alex Satariano, defender Alessandro Coppola, as well as forward Maxuell Maia, but have brought some fresh blood, such as Geoffrey Acheampong, Lucas Macula, and Franklin Sasere, just to name a few.
Coach Stefano De Angelis admitted it was hard to fathom how the season ended last May, but he is determined to come back stronger this year.
“Losing two finals was very difficult,” De Angelis said.
“In Europe, we were also very unlucky to face very tough opponents in Armenia’s Petrocub. We played well in the first game here in Malta, but the second leg didn’t go our way through a combination of circumstances.
“This summer we lost Satariano, Coppola, and Samurai, but managed to replace them with Acheampong, Marjanovic, Maydana, and Sasere. I believe that we have recruited well, bringing in players with different characteristics, so obviously, our style of play will be a bit different. But I’m confident we will come good.”
De Angelis said that he is not giving much importance to what people say about his team and wants to let the pitch do the talking, hoping his players can show a high level of intensity and determination that can lead them to a great season.
“Last season, at the start, nobody believed in us, yet we managed to reach two finals,” the Italian coach said.
“Every coach prefers having the problem of a strong squad. Last season, we went into the most important matches missing four or five key players.
“This year, I feel we have a greater depth, and we have prepared physically over the past weeks to avoid having key absences.
“The intensity in the Malta Premier grows year after year, so it’s no joke; we must be prepared physically and mentally.
“One thing that I don’t want to see my team change is the high intensity they put in during every match. That has always been one of our strengths, and it can be crucial to help us reach our target.”
Following the departure of Satariano, the captain’s armband went to Leandro Lacunza, and the Argentine is relishing this role.
“I’m happy to be the new captain, and I thank the club.
I feel the responsibility, but I’m ready for the challenge ahead. I’m positive about the new campaign, especially with the new signings.
This season, we want to go one step further from last season’s end disappointment. With the new players, I believe we are stronger.
We are competing to win something this season.
The new signings are established in local football, and I believe we can have another season as protagonists”.
For Valletta, this season marks their return to the Premier League while coach Thane Micallef is seeking redemption after two years ago he lost his job at the capital club at the very start of the season.
But this time, the City coach believes his team is ready to deliver, even though they are coming from a tough 6-0 defeat to Catania in a friendly last week.
“We are prepared for the opening match and the team is ready,” Micallef said.
“We were disappointed with the result against Catania, but the objective in the friendlies was to give minutes to the players against a team with high intensity.
“It’s important for us to unite and play with intensity. Regardless of the result, last weekend’s match will serve us well physically ahead of Saturday’s game.”
Micallef has brought a mix of young and experienced players and the Valletta coach is confident this blend of players will help the Citizens to succeed this season.
“This summer we’ve acquired a few quality players, as well as some youngsters,” he said.
“This mixture will help us create the balance needed to reach our objectives.
“We made a lot of changes, and I believe we’ve assembled a competitive squad, but before the league starts, it’s hard to fully assess.
“Birkirkara, last season, were one game away each time from winning the double.
“They’re an established, very competitive team, and we know we have a tough hurdle ahead”.
On his part, Valletta captain Brandon Paiber said that despite the difficult challenges he had to experience at the club in the last two years, he feels proud to skipper the team this season.
“The Challenge League was not easy, but ultimately, I stayed with the club, and that was the right decision,” Paiber said.
“It’s an honour to remain with Valletta and captain this team. It was a tough decision, but I’m proud to have stayed and to be leading as captain. Getting relegated was a setback for me, but I stayed resilient.
“Playing football has always been my passion. We overcame all hurdles and now we’re back in the top division.
“Leading this team as captain is always a source of pride and honour.
“Playing with the likes of Steve Borg will help us raise our standards. He, along with Yuri, Jefferson, and others, will help the rest of the squad, including our talented youngsters, to step up.”
