Exclusive Marcolini (Malta manager): "Damage limitation against England? We will play to win..."

Malta’s head coach Michele Marcolini is out shock the footballing world tonight as the minnows take on European Championship finalists England on matchday 3. 

The underdogs lost their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Italy and face an even sterner challenge against the Three Lions. 

But despite many anticipating 90 minutes of backs against the wall for the unknown Maltese players, the nation can at least take heart from their 1-0 win over Luxembourg last week as a potential platform to create a “fairy tale” tonight.

Asked if the aim is to concede as fewer goals as possible to avoid a humiliation Marcolini, who played over 230 games in Serie A as a footballer, exclusively told this outlet: “Whatever the gap on the pitch, we always try to win.

"Football is one of the most popular sports in the world because it’s so unpredictable.  

“Our task is to meticulously prepare everything from a physical, tactical and technical viewpoints.

"We want to make life difficult for our opponents and if something incredible ensues we will be the first to enjoy.

"History tells us that few times a small national team won against important football countries but we have to give it our all to try to change it.

"We know it will be difficult but deep down we hope we can be the protagonists of an incredible fairy tale…” 

Former teammate and now loyal assistant Davide Mandelli added: “The goal is to do well in the European qualifiers before the focus will switch to next year’s Nations League.”