Pre-match Press Conference

by Ivan Mizzi - 11th July 2012

Tomorrow Birkirkara will be facing the Macedonian side, FK Metalurg Skopje in the second leg match of the UEFA Europa League. This afternoon, a press conference was held at the Bellevue Hotel, in Skopje, and both coaches gave their views before this decisive match. Addressing the conference were both coaches Mr. Paul Zammit and Mr. Gjorgii Hristov, Birkirkara's Treasurer Mr. Ivan Mizzi and Metalurg's team captain Mile Krstev.

Mr. Paul Zammit: We start with a disadvantage because we conceded 2 goals at home. The match had different episodes. However it is a new match that we will be playing and that is what really matters now.

Mr. Ivan Mizzi: Our Club has a lot of experience with these kind of matches since we have taken part in UEFA competition for 16 years straight. We know that these games are never easy and we are expecting a tough match. However, we will do our best on the day, and then we will see.

Mr. Gjorgii Hristov: We had a positive result in Malta, but it is not a big advantage. Now we have a better picture of our opponents and we can prepare better. It is a historical chance for the club. With the result in Malta the job is 50% done, but now we have to finish off the job and qualify.

Mile Krstev: In the first game we made a lot of mistakes, but on the positive side, from the 2 chances we created, we scored 2 goals. Now we will play better, because we have learned from our mistakes.

Paul Zammit was asked about the heat and if is it an advantage to the Maltese team or to the local team. Mr. Zammit said that the weather is definitely not an advantage for Birkirkara, but not much of a problem either. 5pm is not a good time to play football in this kind of hot weather, but in football you have to adapt. "Football - adapt and play", that's the name of the game.

Mr. Paul Zammit: In the first game we enjoyed much of the possession and we had our chances as well. We conceded 2 goals from our mistakes, and we paid the price. I am very happy with my boys commitment and their reaction to suffering goals. Metalurg defended most of the second half, and we put the pressure on them. In this match we will use a different strategy from the one of the first match. Our club also wants to pass to the second round, but if we are eliminated we will do it with our heads held high.

Mr. Gjorgii Hristov: We will try to score first. As a coach I never play the defensive game, and I always prefer to attack. It is going to be a very difficult match.

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