Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica has hit out at the Malta Premier League organisers as his team must play their league fixture against Żabbar st Patrick on Friday, just three days after their Super Cup defeat to Hibernians.
The Italian coach branded the Malta Premier League schedule a ‘disgrace’ as he feels that his team should have been given more time to recover, particularly as their Tuesday opponents, Hibernians, will play their league fixture against Marsaxlokk on Sunday.
Modica’s criticism comes a few days after Premier League coaches voiced their concern on the top-flight schedule, describing it as crazy and that it is putting the welfare of players at risk.
“Nowhere else in the world do you play a final on Tuesday and another match on Friday. Physical condition isn’t something you can buy at the supermarket.
“The schedule is relentless; we’ve been playing every three days since June due to our European progress.
“Moving this match to Saturday would have been more reasonable. We’re not asking for favours, only respect.
“This team has played 43 matches already this season, and there should be consideration for the players as human beings.
“Frankly, this calendar is a disgrace.”
Turning his sights on Friday’s match, Modica admitted that the defeat to Hibernians was hard to fathom for his team.
The Spartans looked in control when Emerson Marcelina put them ahead midway through the first half, courtesy of a penalty.
The Malta champions had various opportunities to score a crucial second goal, but they missed several scoring opportunities, and in the end, that came back to haunt them.
Hibernians levelled matters through another penalty scored by Miullen before Kevin Halabaku netted the winner at the death in extra-time.
“We’re disappointed with the defeat against Hibernians,” Modica said.
“When you miss so many chances, the unexpected happens. We played well and created opportunities, but if you don’t take them, you get punished.
“Now, we must turn the page and move forward. We’re upset, but life goes on, it’s a lesson learned.
“A team of our level should have more composure and effectiveness in front of goal.
I trust my players; they know what they have to do. Football has highs and lows; the key is how you rise from setbacks.
“I feel sorry for our fans, but we’ll work to rebuild the enthusiasm that defines Ħamrun.”
Ħamrun Spartans midfielder Matthew Guillaumier shared Modica’s thoughts on Tuesday’s defeat and admitted his team needed to be more clinical in front of goal.
“We must take advantage of the chances we create,” Guillaumier said.
“It’s not just the match on Tuesday, but in other games, we’ve created opportunities but failed to finish, and then you get punished. We must improve in that area.
“Hibs’ first shot on target was the penalty scored in the 82nd minute, but we must learn from this for future matches.
“When you create but don’t capitalize, it starts to affect you mentally – you begin to doubt. We need to stay calm but also be aggressive.
“The calendar is tough, but after a defeat, you actually want to play immediately. We go into every game expecting to win.
“Wearing the Ħamrun shirt comes with responsibility, and we are aware of that.”
