Malta national team head coach Emilio De Leo and goalkeeper Henry Bonello addressed the media earlier today, just hours before Malta face Finland in a 2026 World Cup European Qualifier at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
De Leo acknowledged the quality of tonight’s opponents, describing Finland as “a strong team with good physical structure, strong rhythm, transitions, and counter-attacks.”
“Our objective is to manage the match, control possession, and express our technical qualities,” De Leo said. “We’re facing a well-organised Nordic side, excellent at closing spaces. We must show personality, win the physical duels, and impose our game plan.”
The Italian coach also pushed back against the idea that Malta’s previous international window was disappointing.
“Results weren’t ideal, yes—but progress shouldn’t be judged by results alone,” he insisted. “In September, the performances against San Marino and Lithuania were signs of growth. We must remain balanced, in both good moments and difficult ones.”
De Leo stressed that belief is key when facing higher-ranked nations.
“We aren’t victims, and nothing is decided before the match begins,” he said. “This is another opportunity to face big teams. We must play with commitment until the final whistle. It will be a complicated game, but even in tough matches, we can still perform well, and we will fight to the end.”
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello echoed the coach’s measured optimism.
“I don’t agree that the last window was a bad one,” Bonello said. “We didn’t get the results, but our playing style is moving in the right direction. Against Bosnia, we created good chances and the score didn’t reflect our performance. If we’re more aggressive and take our opportunities, we can be in a better position.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s fixture, Bonello emphasised the squad’s motivation.
“We’re focused and looking forward to putting in a strong performance. We hope to get a positive result. The playoffs in March remain an important target, and we aim to reap the benefits of our work.”
Finland vs Malta kicks off tonight at 18:00 CET at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
The match will be broadcast live on TVM Sport+.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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