Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi (picture) is still cautious about a more than probable title win for the Stripes. And this despite that his side is enjoying an eight-point lead over second placed Sliema with just three matches to go.
He said: “It is still not over. If Sliema win on Saturday (against Valletta), we have to win on Sunday (against Marsaxlokk). If Sliema lose or draw, they would lose the title, but Marsaxlokk will still be there. They are nine points behind us in the standings, therefore, mathematically, they still have a chance to force a decider against us. Therefore we would need at least to draw on Sunday to make sure. But we cannot ignore the fact that Marsaxlokk are still fighting for the runner-up place with Sliema. So it will not be a walk-over. They are a very competitive squad. So I appeal to our fans to forget the euphoria before making sure of the title win.”
Azzopardi said the team has performed miracles this season, especially in the last three matches. “We again had to face an incredible number of injuries. Apart from those ruled out, we have had a number of players who have been forced to play while carrying an injury and I have thanked them wholeheartedly for their great efforts,” he added.
For Azzopardi, this probable title win, will be the icing on the cake. “It will be a great satisfaction for me personally. It is any coach’s dream to win the Premier League title, especially those, like me, who have never tasted it before. If we go on to win it, then it will not just be my first Premier title, but also a summing up of a great four-year and four months period with the club, during which we have won everything Maltese football has to offer,” he said.
He also said that it has been a difficult era. “One has to consider the fact that the club was only founded 55 years ago. It is still a baby which has grown up in the last 10 years. It hails from a large football-mad town and they are all thirsty for success. This has brought about a lot of pressure on all of us. But I have enjoyed this stint with them after previously having led Balzan Youths to a Third Division championship title,” he said.