In what promises to be the match of the week, Hibernians will face Birkirkara at 18:15 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium in a clash that carries weight for both sides early in the season.
Hibernians are aiming to return to winning ways after a frustrating draw against Żabbar St. Patrick. For Birkirkara, the stakes are even higher, they are still chasing their first victory and first goal of the YoHealth Malta Premier League season, having opened with two goalless draws.
As revealed by Malta Sport, Birkirkara are set to appoint Gianluca Festa as their new head coach following the departure of Stefano De Angelis two weeks ago. However, for this encounter, assistant coach Alessandro Caridi will lead the side.
Caridi, who has taken charge during this transitional period, said his immediate focus is on maintaining unity in the dressing room. While he praised the squad’s quality and depth, he admitted that performances must improve, especially in terms of mentality and consistency across the full 90 minutes.
“We need to find solutions in attack, not just to create chances, but to finish them,” he emphasized. Still, he remains optimistic, pointing out that only two players, Reid and Nathan Cross, were away on international duty, allowing for high-intensity training and detailed preparation during the break.
Midfielder Jan Busuttil echoed his coach’s view, admitting the team hasn’t been good enough so far but insisted there’s a clear sense of purpose as they look to turn things around. “With a new coach it’s still early days, but the priority is to secure full points and start climbing the table,” he said. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead, especially against an organized Hibernians side, but believes it’s time to start delivering.
On the Hibernians bench, coach Branko Nisevic has concerns of his own. While his side has shown promise, defensive lapses, particularly at set pieces, have cost them valuable points. He acknowledged that Birkirkara’s recent struggles don’t tell the full story, warning that the arrival of a new coach could provide the spark they need. “We’ve seen it before, coaching changes can reignite teams, especially when players are looking to impress,” he said.
Injuries have further complicated Nisevic’s plans. Both goalkeepers, Daniel Branescu and Hugo Sacco, were injured in the same match. While Sacco is nearing full recovery, Branescu is expected to be sidelined for several months. To add to their woes, Alex Bruno has left the club, and forward Jurgen Degabriele is set to undergo surgery, with a hopeful return in November. Nisevic also expressed disappointment that none of his players were selected for national duty, though he admitted the decision was out of his hands.
Defender Dexter Xuereb, who has been deployed in multiple roles this season, is embracing the challenge. “I’m pleased to be trusted in different positions, including as part of a back three,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to helping the team wherever needed. He also acknowledged Birkirkara’s quality and expects a tough battle, especially with their opponents looking to bounce back.
