Watch: Modica says Spartans did not find the collaboration of all stakeholders as they chase European history

Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica is disappointed that the Malta champions did not find the collaboration of all stakeholders in Maltese football that would have put them in an ideal situation to claim a historic qualification in the UEFA Conference League League Phase.

An emotional Modica was speaking to the Maltese media on the eve of the competition’s Play Off Round first leg tie against RFS, of Latvia, that will be played at the National Stadium this evening (kick-off: 7pm).

The build-up to the match against Latvian side RFS, which was described by the Italian coach as one of the biggest in the history of Maltese football, given the high stakes it carries, was marred by the news that UEFA had turned down the Spartans request to switch the game to the Centenary Stadium given the poor conditions of the pitch of the National Stadium.

The decision incensed the Spartans’ top officials as well as Modica who said that he cannot understand the reasoning behind UEFA’s decision and believes that not all stakeholders have done everything in their power to give his team the best possible conditions to perform at their best against Latvia’s RSF.

“Having such an important opportunity, not just for me as a coach, but also for the players who can create history for Maltese football, we have not been put in the condition to fulfil this objective,” Modica said.

“Maybe not everyone is happy that we take that step, and that is my personal opinion. Because when you request to change the venue of the match from a National Stadium, that yes might be a nice site but you cannot play football on it at the moment.

“Last weekend, Birkirkara and Valletta played here and all the players were critical of the state of the pitch. We requested to change the venue eight days ago, several check-ups on the pitch were done, a number of alternatives were presented, and still we now find ourselves in a situation where we have been put at a disadvantage.

“The reason is that we train on a synthetic pitch and RSF trains on a natural pitch. Had the pitch been in good condition, we would have still played on it, no problem, but the condition is not good.

“Now we have to put everything on our desire and the hunger to create history not only for us but also for all Maltese football. We have done everything in our power to come for this match in the best possible shape, but our cause has not been helped by everyone.”