Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica has made it clear that his team are determined to end their League Phase campaign in the best possible way as the Malta champions take on Shamrock Rovers in their final match at the Tallaght Stadium on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm).
The Spartans have seen their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League come to an end in last week’s 2-0 defeat to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
“I believe that we should already be proud of what we have done in Europe this season,” the Italian coach said.
“During the course of our European campaign, the team has done well to put up some great performances. Unfortunately, in football, it’s not always the team that plays the better football that comes out on top, and we were unlucky to drop a few points, which we certainly deserved.
“But I have nothing to say to my team, as they have given every ounce of energy in every match. Tomorrow, there is another match against a team that is coming from another important championship and we are focused on getting the best possible result.”
Modica said that even though the match has no significant competitive meaning in terms of qualification hopes, it holds special importance for the club and its fans.
“We may not have any chance to progress, but the match in itself is still very important for our club in terms of its financial benefits,” Modica said.
“Added to that, for tomorrow’s match, I have been told that there will be more than 400 Ħamrun Spartans fans in the stadium. That means that we have added responsibility to not only play for the badge of our club but also to ensure we produce a strong display to give cause for celebration to our loyal supporters.”
Shamrock Rovers have only one point to show from their five matches played so far, but Modica said that the Irish champions deserved much more throughout the competition and said that the Irish outfit will provide a major physical threat for his team.
“Shamrock Rovers are a typical British side who base their game on their physical power, and we must be ready for it,” the former Messina coach said.
“I watched them for a few matches throughout the competition, and they deserved much more than just one point. They played against superior opponents and were unlucky to finish empty-handed.
“They are going to be a major threat for us, and that is why it will be very important that my players are switched on right from kick-off if we are harbouring hopes of getting a positive result.”
Modica will be without wing back Ryan Camenzuli, who has failed to recover from the muscle injury he suffered during last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Marsaxlokk.
Brazilian midfielder Eder is facing a race against time to prove his fitness, but Italian defender Vincenzo Polito is expected to return after missing the match against Shakhtar Donetsk due to a one-match ban.
Asked if there was one thing that he would change from Ħamrun’s run so far this season, the Italian was quite frank in his assessment.
“One thing that I would change would be our match schedule,” the Italian said.
“So far this season, Ħamrun Spartans has played 27 matches, and my players have, in most circumstances, just two days to prepare from one game to another, and that is unacceptable.
“In European football, teams that are playing in Europe are always given at least one extra game to be able to recover. In Italy, Juventus played on Tuesday and then played on Sunday, Roma played on Thursday and then played in the Serie A on Monday.
“On the other hand, we are playing against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday, arrive in Malta on Friday and have to face Birkirkara on Sunday afternoon.
“This is a massacre – and my players do not deserve that as before being athletes – they are human beings and deserve better treatment and given more time to recover.”
Also present for this press conference was midfielder Mouad El Fanis.
The young midfielder stole the headlines when he was one of the scorers in the Spartans’ historic 3-1 win over Lincoln Red Imps at the National Stadium.
El Fanis said that he is delighted to have been given the opportunity to play in the League Phase of the Conference League and wants to conclude this chapter in the best possible way.
“It’s a great feat for us to play in the League Phase of the Conference League,” El Fanis said.
“For us tomorrow’s match is another opportunity to show the strength of our team and we must be switched on right from kick-off. We have many fans who have followed us and we need to repay their loyalty with a great performance as they don’t deserve anything else.
“We must be focused and make sure we represent our club in the best possible way.”
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