Malta national team head coach Emilio De Leo and goalkeeper Henry Bonello addressed the media earlier on Thursday ahead of Malta’s FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier against Finland, which will be played tomorrow at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium (kick off 18:00 CET).
De Leo spoke with determination and clarity, acknowledging the strength of the Nordic side but insisting that Malta must focus on its own identity.
“Finland is a strong team with good physical structure, strong in rhythm, transitions and counterattacks,” said De Leo. “Our main objective is to manage the game, to try to control possession and showcase our technical qualities. We’ll be facing a solid team that is very effective in closing spaces, so we must be ready to show our personality, read the physical duels and impose our game plan.”
The Italian coach dismissed the idea that Malta’s last international window was a setback.
“In terms of results, yes, it was not ideal,” he admitted. “But progress should not be judged only by results. We must focus on improvement and our journey as a team. The matches against San Marino and Lithuania were strong performances that provided both positive signs and lessons to build on. Balance is key, both in good moments and in difficult ones.”
De Leo emphasised the importance of conviction and belief, especially when facing higher-ranked opposition.
“This is an opportunity to face big teams, and we must take advantage of it. We are not victims, nor do we enter the match thinking our destiny is already written. We must play until the final whistle, demonstrating seriousness, commitment, and pride. It will be a complicated match, but even in these two difficult fixtures, we can still do well, and we will fight until the end.”
Meanwhile, Henry Bonello echoed his coach’s message of focus and optimism, describing the squad as motivated and united.
“I don’t think the last window was a bad one,” said Bonello. “Yes, we didn’t get the results we wanted, but we are on the right path in terms of playing style. Against Bosnia, we created several chances and the result didn’t truly reflect our performance. If we are more aggressive and take our chances, we can put ourselves in a better position.”
Looking ahead to the match in Helsinki, Bonello added, “We are looking forward to playing a good game and hopefully achieving a positive result. The playoffs in March will be an important target, and we hope to reap the rewards of our work then.”
Malta will face Finland tomorrow evening at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, live on TVM Sport+.
