Premier League 2024/2025
Opening round-Top 6
Floriana………2
Hibernians…..0
Floriana secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Hibernians at the National Stadium, maintaining their chase on league leaders Birkirkara. Goals from Franklin Sasere and Jake Grech sealed the win for the Greens, who now sit just two points off the top after their second consecutive league victory.
The match was vital for both sides, with Floriana looking to keep pressure on Birkirkara following their dramatic 1-0 win over Mosta, while Hibernians were eager to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat against Sliema Wanderers. However, it was Floriana who controlled the key moments of the game, while Hibernians were left to rue missed opportunities.
Floriana wasted no time testing Hibernians’ defence, creating their first opportunity after just two minutes. Jake Grech’s free-kick found Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, but the forward’s effort flew over the bar.
The Greens thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute when Lonardelli slotted home, but the assistant referee flagged for offside, cancelling the goal. Floriana continued to press and had another goal disallowed in the 22nd minute, this time Franklin Sasere finding the back of the net, only for the offside flag to be raised again.
Floriana’s persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Sasere won a penalty after being fouled by Hibernians goalkeeper Hugo Sacco. Sasere confidently converted from the spot, giving Floriana a well-deserved lead.
Hibernians responded almost immediately, with Jurgen Degabriele firing narrowly over from inside the box in the 36th minute. Floriana continued to look dangerous, with Thiago Nascimento’s diagonal shot just missing the target before half-time.
Hibernians came out fighting in the second half and thought they had equalised in the opening minutes. Degabriele’s free-kick found Henrique Nunes, who scored, but once again the offside flag denied Hibernians.
Floriana remained composed and created another chance in the 63rd minute, with Matias Garcia setting up Lonardelli, whose low shot was saved by Sacco.
Hibernians had their best spell midway through the half, with Nunes forcing a save from Henri Mafoumbi and substitute Giannis Bastianos setting up Degabriele, who shot over from close range. Bjorn Kristensen had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 75th minute but fired high from an unmarked position inside the box.
Floriana sealed the win in stoppage time after a counter-attack. Grech played a through ball to Mattia Veselji, who was brought down by Sacco, resulting in a second penalty. Sacco, already on a yellow card from the first penalty incident, was sent off, leaving Kristensen to don the gloves as Hibernians had used all their substitutions.
Grech stepped up and converted from the spot, beating Kristensen to secure a 2-0 victory for Floriana.
The win keeps Floriana two points behind Birkirkara, maintaining the pressure at the top of the table. For Hibernians, the loss continues their inconsistent run, leaving them in need of a turnaround to stay in contention.
Floriana: Henri Mafoumbi, Oualid El Hasni, Jake Grech, Thiago Nascimento (Fernando Rodrigues-46), Dunstan Vella, Matias Garcia (Antiago De Flavia-85, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Owen Spiteri-90), Frankin Sasere (Kyrian Nwoko-46), Alexander Kouro, Cedric Yameogo Emerson De Souza ((Mattia Veselji-81)
Hibernians: Hugo Sacco, Kleiton de Lima, Kurt Shaw (Isaiah Chukunyere-86), Ayrton Attard (Ayrton Attard-74), Natha Carvalho, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Dexter Xuereb (Giannis Bastianos-65), Bruno De Souza (Federico Falcone-74), Henrique Nunes, Gabriel Fernandes (Alfred Silas-65)
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Player of the Match: Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana)
