Under-fire Spartans coach Zinnari says players are with him
The opening phase of the 360 Sports Malta Premier is set for a thrilling finale on Thursday evening when Gżira United, Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk will battle it out for the final spot in the Top Six.
At present, Gżira United are on pole to join Birkirkara, Hibernians, Floriana, Sliema Wanderers and Mosta in the Top Six as the Maroons currently hold a three-point advantage over both the Spartans and the Southseasiders. They need just a point from their clash against Ħamrun to reach their objective.
On the other hand, Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk have no margin for error and must take all three points from their matches against Gżira Unted and Hibernians to go level on points with the Maroons and the sixth and final spot will be decided on direct confrontations between all three teams and then goal difference.
Ħamrun Spartans coach Alessandro Zinnari, who is under huge pressure to retain his job after seeing his team suffer four successive defeats, admits that his team are in a very complicated situation and told his players to show their character to try and solve the situation.
“We are aware of the difficult situation we are in and need to be honest and accept it,” Zinnari said.
“I believe that we don’t truly deserve the position we have in the standings as we were very unlucky to drop points in matches, where we deserved more. Added to that we have been hit by an extraordinary amount of injuries to key players that left us with a very depleted squad.
“I have nothing but praise for my players who are doing everything they can to come out of this difficult situation. They are all working very hard and focused to try and implement our philosophy of football. But the players are ready to fight and against Gżira we will again give our all.”
Asked if today’s match against Gżira United could signal the end of his stint as Ħamrun Spartans coach, should results don’t go his way, Zinnari said: “That is a question that you need to do to the club management, not me.
“At the moment, I am calm and focused to prepare the team in the best possible way as that is my job. I can assure you that if I felt that the players weren’t with me I will be the first one to hand in my resignation.
“But that is not the situation. My focus is on what happens in the match and the 90 minutes on Thursday and not on what happens afterwards.”
On his part, Emerson Marcelina, the Ħamrun Spartans defender, said that playing on ‘home’ soil at the Tedesco Stadium was a small advantage but has no doubt on the importance of having the club fans behind the team throughout the 90 minutes to try and get the result they are looking for.
“Thursday will be tough. We have to pull ourselves out of this difficult situation,” Marcelina said.
“Playing at home is an advantage, especially being back in Hamrun stadium after so long.
“It’s never easy, football doesn’t allow you to win every game.
“The fans are always with us, and tomorrow, on our home turf, they’ll be there in even greater numbers.
“I’ve been in Malta for ten years, and I’ve never experienced four losses in a single season, let alone four in a row.
“The injuries have set us back, but that’s no excuse, we need to pull together to overcome this challenging period”.
Andrew Cohen, the Gżira coach, said that although his team can bank on two results to make the top six, the Maroons have a clear plan in their mind… to go out and take the three points.
“We are within touching distance from securing a top six finish,” Cohen said.
“The team has responded well from a series of negative results with a fighting performance against Żabbar SP and we secured a win that put us on the brink of our objective.
“We’re preparing for this match like any other, aiming to secure our place in the top six. We’re aware of the threat that Ħamrun Spartans pose, but our forward-thinking game plan remains unchanged.
“This three-point cushion isn’t a luxury; it’s an opportunity, and we’re determined to capitalize on it to achieve what’s expected of us on Thursday, being that we have two results from three in our favour.”
On his part, Enrico Pepe, the former Ħamrun defender now at Gżira, said that he always believed that Gżira had the qualities to make the top six but now it’s time to prove it on the pitch with victory over Ħamrun.
“From day one, I was convinced this squad has strength and quality,” Pepe said.
“Results can give you that extra push, and fortunately, we have this decisive match coming up.
“Tomorrow’s a big game because we deserve to be in the top six, we will do all needed to achieve our objective.”
PLAYING ON THURSDAY
TONY BEZZINA STADIUM
Marsaxlokk vs Hibs 18.00
Naxxar vs Sliema W. 20.30
TEDESCO STADIUM
Gżira Utd vs Ħamrun S. 18.00
NATIONAL STADIUM
Birkirkara vs Floriana 20.30
