As Malta prepares to face Bulgaria this evening in another qualifier, national coach Pietro Ghedin was very cautious about any optimism which might have come about thanks to the 2-0 win friendly win against Lithuania last Monday.

Addressing the press yesterday, the Italian mentor said it was nice to obtain that victory on Monday, but this will be another competitive match. “For us, as usual, it will be a very difficult match, even if Bulgaria have been going through a somewhat negative patch in their most recent matches.

“But I expect my team to face a determined side to get back on track following the 4-0 drubbing against Turkey in a friendly, also on Monday. Despite that defeat, they are still the Bulgaria which is ranked 60th in the world,” he added.

Ghedin would not divulge his starting formation but he gave an indication that there will be no radical changes to the side that played against Lithuania. “There are some players like Alfred Effiong who received a slight knock. We still have to make sure they are all fully fit. One thing I am sure of is that only the players in the best condition will be playing.”

Despite being cautious, Ghedin also appeared to be somewhat confident. In fact he went on to say that the group was united and that bodes well for his squad of players. “I have a good group of 23 players. They all work hard. I am sure that if they remain with their feet to the ground and remain compact as they were against Lithuania, then it is very much possible that we obtain a positive result,” he added.

The Italian said we are a small nation with a limited number of players. “We always have to go out there and fight – my players have to play with their hearts in the name of the country,” he said.

Ghedin was asked whether he saw the match between Turkey and Bulgaria last Monday where the Bulgarians played a splendid first half, but then collapsed in the opening minutes of the second half, suffering three goals in just seven minutes. “Of course I saw that match. When suffering a goal, it is always difficult and that is what happened to Bulgaria. In our case it will be even more difficult to recover. What is important is that my players have to avoid making silly mistakes. That will help us all to achieve much better results,” he said.

One player who is almost certain to make a return to the side after missing the match against Lithuania is Andre Schembri. He was seen training regularly with the squad yesterday and it is evident that his presence in the side will help bolster the confidence of the side.

Ghedin is expected to use the same tactics adopted against Lithuania playing cautiously in the first half and operating on the break – a tactic which worked to perfection against Lithuania.

Skipper Michael Mifsud and goalie Justin Haber, two of the most experienced players in the squad, also addressed the press yesterday.