Six weeks without a game, ranked 172nd in the world and little hope from their own players… England’s clash against Malta should be a routine victory, but home coach admits it’s the kind of game he’s ‘dreamed of’ playing a part in
- England are expected to heavily defeat Malta in their European qualifier
- Malta players and staff are keen to make the most of the opportunity, however
- Goalkeeper Henry Bonello will not be preparing anything specific for England
Ranked 172nd in the world – which puts them just above Bermuda and Nepal – it is no surprise to find that Malta are approaching Friday night’s European Championship qualifier with England a low ceiling of expectation. Indeed the best news of the day for the Malta FA on Thursday was that the national stadium will be full to its 18,000 capacity.
England may arrive on this Mediterranean island at less than full throttle. Many of Gareth Southgate’s squad have not played a game for three weeks while those that played for Manchester City in the Champions League final are still sweating the alcohol from their systems.
Nevertheless, this should be as straight forward as it gets for England, a point illustrated by the thoughts of Malta’s 34-year-old goalkeeper Henry Bonello.
Asked on Thursday afternoon if he will be preparing anything specific for Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka, Bonello said: ‘I will only be thinking about what I do.
‘Those players are superstars. But I won’t be dreaming about them. Otherwise I might be exhausted before the game. I will just concentrate on the game.’
Malta manager Michele Marcolini is looking forward to the challenge of facing England
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello, meanwhile, has said he will not be preparing anything special for the Three Lions
Malta have not had a game in six weeks, with their domestic season ending in April
Bonello was on the bench five-and-half-years ago when three late England goals turned a scratchy World Cup qualifying performance in to a 4-0 win. Bonello and his team-mates are not foolish enough to think that gives them particular hope.
‘I don’t remember much about it,’ Bonello added.
Indeed coach Michele Marcolini – an Italian who has spent much of his career working in his home country’s lower divisions – was keen to stress that Friday night should be viewed as much for the experience as for the result.
‘Football is not only about money or being famous,’ said Marcolini.
‘It’s about how it makes you feel and Friday will be amazing.
‘I would love to be playing again but I can’t. This is why a guy wants to become a footballer.
‘This is the kind of match I dreamed of, against one of the best teams in the world.
‘They have amazing players. That the supporters will be filling the stands is another reason to give our best and make ourselves proud.’
Malta lost both their opening Euros fixtures in the spring, 2-1 in North Macedonia and 2-0 at home to Italy.
With the domestic season ending here at the end of April, Marcolini has an even greater challenge on his hands trying to bring his team back to the boil for this game. They did play a friendly in Luxembourg a week ago, which they won 1-0.
Marcolini and Bonello are eager to make the most of the challenge of facing one of the world’s best sides
Englnad jetted off to Malta on Friday and should return with a comprehensive win
‘We have had six weeks without an official match,’ he added.
‘My players are tired like the England players at the end of a long season. It is much better to continue to play rather than stopping and starting.
‘We have just been doing lots of training but I thought the Luxembourg performance was very good.
‘It’s useless to complain about all of this. We are here and we are determined to enjoy this and be brave and ambitious. The result will tell the story of the game in the end.’
