On the eve of their historic debut in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, Ħamrun Spartans head coach Giacomo Modica stressed the importance of tactical awareness ahead of a challenging fixture.
“We know it will be a tough game,” Modica said. “This is a team with a reputation in Europe, and we have to be good at interpreting the game.” While acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead, Modica remained optimistic. “Since we’ve reached this level, we want to be competitive by playing to our strengths. We don’t want to leave a bad impression, let’s try not to.”
Team captain and goalkeeper Henry Bonello echoed the coach’s sentiments, describing the competition as a new and exciting challenge for the Maltese side. “At this stage, the level is very high. It’s a new competition for us, but it’s something any player would enjoy,being part of European football at this level. We all want to do well and make a name for ourselves.”
Asked about managing nerves ahead of the match, Bonello acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion. “To be honest, every player competing in such a tournament will feel excited and maybe a bit nervous,” he said. “But once you’re on the pitch, you settle into the game. The key is to stay focused on the football and not let emotions take over.”
Ħamrun Spartans will face Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok on Thursday at the Stadion Miejski, with kick-off scheduled for 18:45.
