Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic is not underestimating the threat posed by Tarxien Rainbows as the in-form Paolites take on bottom-placed Tarxien Rainbows at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 4.30pm).
The Paolites have been in great health at the start of the Closing Round, as after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Birkirkara, they bounced back in style as they overcame Sliema Wanderers, Mosta, and Żabbar St Patrick.
Tarxien, on the other hand, have been struggling for results lately, albeit they put some tough fights in defeats to Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk and Gżira United but then floundered in a 5-0 defeat to Birkirkara on Tuesday.
Still, Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic has warned his players to take the right approach in today’s derby.
“Tarxien are a tricky side, they can upset you if you don’t approach the match with the right mindset,” Nisevic said.
“We also know how much this game means to our supporters, so we’ll prepare in the best possible way.”
This month, Hibernians lost their prolific forward Lucas Villela who joined a club in Kuwait but since then, the Paolites have done well in his absence.
On Thursday, the club brought in American forward Ruben Fernandez after they had already signed former Mosta forward Sunday Akinbule.
Nisevic has to assess the physical condition of both his new arrivals and the rest of the squad as his players are facing a tiring playing schedule of nine matches in five weeks, including Tuesday’s Super Cup final against Ħamrun Spartans.
“At the end of the Opening Round, we went through a difficult period, even with the departure of Villela, which was a major blow, but overall the team’s performances were good, even in defeat.
“We stayed positive and managed to bounce back. On Saturday, we’ll go with the most ready players, then after the Tarxien for the Super Cup final on Tuesday,” Nisevic said.
“I just hope that conditions are safe for all teams.”
On his part, Duane Bonnici is delighted with his team’s form of recent weeks and said that they are determined to put the team where they deserve.
“Hibernians is one of the biggest clubs in Malta, and we’ll keep pushing hard,” Bonnici said.
“We’re close to the top, and we take each game as it comes, always doing our best to put Hibernians where the club truly deserves to be.
“The schedule is extremely demanding, training and preparation time are limited, and there’s barely any rest between matches.
“Playing nine games in five weeks is something we’ve never experienced before, but we must adapt”.
Misfortune
While Hibernians have been thriving, Tarxien have struggled for results.
Coach Jacques Scerri said that performances have been quite good, but the team can feel unlucky to suffer some defeats; however, we are not throwing in the towel just yet.
“We’ve played some good football in recent matches,” Scerri said.
“Against Marsaxlokk we were unlucky, and last Saturday vs Gżira we had a goal harshly disallowed from the same action, they went on to score the late winner.
“The attitude and work ethic of my players in training have been very positive, and I’m still confident. We definitely won’t throw in the towel just yet.
“The match against Birkirkara earlier this week was a setback, we suffered a psychological blow after the misfortune in what happened against Gżira.
“The hectic schedule is also taking its toll on us, especially since our squad isn’t very big.
“Still, we always play with courage.
“We know we’re facing strong opponents, but I believe in my players. I’m positive and confident that results will come if we stay united.”
Scerri admitted that the poor run of results had left a toll on himself too and considered quitting the job.
“There were moments when I even offered to step down from my role as Head Coach, but I do my job with full dedication,” Scerri said.
“We go into detail in every single training session, but at the end of the day, football is about results.
“I know I have the backing of my club.
“In this second part of the season, there have been changes in the squad, and we’re confident we have the quality and ability to turn things around.
“We do our best with the limited resources we have.
“When things aren’t going our way, that’s when we need to show character, and that’s exactly
what we’re determined to keep doing”.
On his part, Tarxien Rainbows skipper Miguel D’Alessandro said that the players have the belief that they can turn this around.
“Except for the last game against Birkirkara, our performances have shown that we have the quality,” D’Alessandro said.
“We just need to take it to the next level. If we keep delivering positive displays, we’re confident that results will follow.
“Despite recent results, the spirit in the dressing room has remained positive. We’ve shown strong performances and stuck together.
“We’ve tightened as a group and remain hopeful of turning things around.”
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