Local champions Valletta FC will be trying to recover the 2-3 deficit they suffered in the first leg in Malta when they face Ekranas in Lithuania today in the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie.
Valletta were shocked last week as the Lithuaniains took a 3-0 lead by the first 40 minutes, but the Citizens fought to pull back a goal immediately and then scored a late penalty to make it a respectable scoreline.
Those two goals have kept Valletta’s hopes very much alive as there is only a one goal difference between the two teams. But the City clan is very much aware that the team must win by a two-goal margin at least to be able to overturn the deficit in their favour.
And that is certainly not going to be easy. The citizens also know that a 1-0 or 2-1 win will not be enough to see them through as the Lithuanian side has the advantage of having scored three away goals. And in the scenario of a 3-2 win for Valletta, then the tie will go into extra time and once again, the home side will be favoured as they will be playing in front of their own fans.
Everything points towards a tough match for the citizens, but coach Jesmond Zerafa and his boys are confident they will be able to play much better than they did in Malta.
Of course, Valletta will have to adopt an adventurous approach this evening in search of the goals they need, but they are also aware that they cannot leave their back door wide open – their opponents know quite well how to take full advantage as they did in the first leg.
Most of City’s hopes rely on international striker Michael Mifsud who scored a great goal before the interval in the first leg to put City back in contention. He will need the support of all his team-mates this evening as the citizens try to advance to the third round of the competition.
Good news for Zerafa & Co is that Brazilian midfielder/striker Denni dos Santos will be available for today’s clash having recovered in time after missing the first leg through injury.
Zerafa is expected to include him in his starting line-up, behind Barbosa, Effiong and Mifsud.
In midfield, alongside Denni, there should be Gilbert Agius, Edmond Agius, and Jamie Pace, while the three at the back should be Steve Borg, Kenneth Scicluna and Ian Azzopardi. Hogg should be playing in goal.
Roderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana are both suspended.
The full squad at the disposal of Jesmond Zerafa is the following:
Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg, Yenz Cini
Defenders: Jonathan Caruana, Kenneth Scicluna, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg.
Midfielders: Gilbert Agius, Edmond Agius, Roderick Briffa, Denni Rocha Dos Santos, Ryan Fenech, Cleavon Frendo, Dyson Falzon, Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut
Strikers: William Barbosa, Alfred Effiong, Ian Zammit, Ousenni Zongo, Michael Mifsud.
The match is being played at the Aukstaitija Stadium and starts at 6pm.