Buoyed by their first win of the season in the midweek fixture against Naxxar Lions, Tarxien Rainbows now face a Żabbar St. Patrick side still in search of their first three points, having drawn twice and lost twice in their opening four matches. The match will be played at 19:15 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Ahead of the match, Żabbar head coach Aniello Parisi admitted that while the performances have shown signs of promise, the end product is still lacking. “The style of football has improved, but the results are not there yet,” he said. Reflecting on their recent performance, Parisi added, “Against Ħamrun we didn’t play well, unlike the previous three matches. We must improve in several areas, particularly in our attacking phase. We get fidgety and lack accuracy, especially when games become difficult.”
His sentiments were echoed by Żabbar player Strahinja Jovancic, who called for a more composed mindset from the squad. “We’ve analyzed our opponents, they’re a good side, but we’re positive about getting our first win. Most importantly, us players must learn the need to enjoy our football without stress,” he said, urging focus ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
On the other side, Tarxien Rainbows come into the match with renewed confidence after a challenging start that nonetheless included promising showings against top-tier sides. Head coach Jacques Scerri highlighted the team’s strong mentality: “We’ve already faced three of the biggest sides, a draw against the champions and two narrow defeats. The performances were strong, yet the players still felt disappointed, which shows the character and attitude within the group.” Scerri also praised the squad’s commitment following a summer overhaul. “Full credit to the squad. With their effort and commitment, we’ve managed a positive start. The season is long, and we must stay focused.”
Goalkeeper Andrea Cassar echoed his coach’s confidence, pointing to the squad’s adaptation and unity. “We are a new team facing fixtures against top sides. The foreign players are settling in well, their attitude in training is excellent, and they are improving while adapting to our style of play.”
With Tarxien building momentum and Żabbar eager to break their winless streak, Saturday’s match promises a competitive battle between two sides with contrasting starts but shared ambition.
