Floriana FC strike at key moments to fend off Naxxar Lions’ fightback

NAXXAR LIONS 1

Mariano 51

FLORIANA 3
Jah 17, Teixeira 27, Mendonca 68

NAXXAR LIONS
M. Debono; G. Felipe, N. Pace Cocks (82 M. Fenech), Vitinho (46 A. Firmino), Mariano, C. Gauci (82 K. Haber), E. Bolanos (82 G. Bonnano), Rosiel, C. Nganmini, S. Guehi (46 J. Reyes), J. Moura. 

FLORIANA
G. Cioletti; L. Lopez, J. Grech (88 A. De Flavia), F. Varela, D. Vella (73 M. Veselji), M. Jah (73 R. Areias), F. Teixeira (66 Z. Scerri), C. M’Mombwa, G. Gamarra, I. Mendonca, A. Garzia. 

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele. 

Yellow cards: Moura, Reyes, M’Mombwa.  

Floriana opened their domestic league campaign with a 3-1 victory over Naxxar Lions, though the scoreline told only part of the story. The Greens were forced to dig deep, particularly in the second half, as Naxxar mounted an aggressive push that threatened to undo Floriana’s early dominance.

Daniel Portela’s side, who carried much of their UEFA Conference League momentum into this game, showed both quality and vulnerability in equal measure. For Naxxar, last season’s survival specialists, the spirited display after the restart offered encouragement despite leaving empty-handed.

The Greens, with just one change from their typical starting formations in their European outings, Francisco Teixeira replacing Mattia Veselji, almost struck within the first half-minute. Francesco Varela squared the ball for Jake Grech but his shot flew wide.

Floriana controlled the opening stages, probing for an early breakthrough, and were rewarded in the 17th minute. A long ball released Teixeira, who unselfishly teed up Moustapha Jah to finish into an open net for 1-0.

Grech nearly doubled the advantage shortly after when set up by Gonzalo Gamarra, but his shot failed to hit the target. Naxxar’s first threat came through Vitinho, only for Floriana goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti to parry his low strike.

Teixeira soon added his name to the scoresheet, doubling Floriana’s lead with a curling left-footed free-kick that left Matthias Debono with no chance. The Portuguese winger then attempted a spectacular acrobatic volley, but his effort missed the frame of goal.

At half-time, Naxxar coach George Vella reshaped his side, introducing two fresh attackers and moving to a back four to provide more width and penetration. The changes had an immediate effect.

After Edward Bolanos was twice denied by Cioletti, Joao Moura rattled the woodwork directly from a corner, sparking belief among the Lions. That belief turned into a goal when Mariano capitalised on a poor turn from Dunstan Vella inside the box, seizing possession and calmly beating Cioletti to make it 2-1.

Naxxar suddenly looked the more dangerous side. Bolanos, lively throughout, nearly equalised after shrugging off Alejandro Garzia, only to watch his attempt flash agonisingly wide.

Sensing the tide turning, Portela introduced Zach Scerri to stabilise the midfield and shifted to a more compact 4-2-3-1 system. The tactical switch paid off almost immediately. From a Jake Grech corner, defender Iago Mendonca rose highest to nod home Floriana’s third goal and restore breathing space.

The Greens might have added further gloss to the scoreline when substitute Mattia Veselji latched onto a loose ball, but he dragged his shot off target.