Unity and determination key to challenge Italy says Marcolini

Rome: Michele Marcolini wants his players to adopt an aggressive approach and play for each other as the Malta national team faces a daunting task when facing European champions Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bari on Saturday (kick-off: 8.45pm).

Still without a point after five matches, Malta face a near-impossible task of breaking their duck against Italy.

The Azzurri have no margin of error if they are to stay ahead in the race for the runners-up spot in the group which sees them engaged in a three-way battle with Ukraine and North Macedonia who also face each other in the Czech Republic.

Malta’s task at the San Nicola Stadium is made even tougher when one considers that the team will be without three very influential players in the team, namely skipper Steve Borg, midfielder Teddy Teuma, and striker Jodie Jones.