Vella expecting tough Denmark test on Tuesday

Matchday -1 for the Malta Under-21 Team ahead of daunting Denmark test on Tuesday, the fourth group match for the boys in this UEFA U21 European Championship Group 8 qualifiers. Denmark are considered as the strongest team in the group. They currently lead the standings with a maximum 12 points from four matches. Last Friday, Denmark also made a massive step towards finishing on top following their 3-2 victory over Ukraine. Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella is aware of the huge task ahead but the intensive and significant preparation for this game could offer a glimmer of hope for the boys who have worked incessantly in the past week ahead of this game in Aalborg. PREPARATIONS FOR DENMARK  “The team is in good shape, the boys have been together for the past eight days. I am pleased with the attitude and commitment shown by all of them in training, basically we are ready and we wait for tomorrow,” Vella said. SQUAD CHANGES “The return of Matthew Guillaumier and Kurt Shaw will further strengthen this squad of players as both have a great future ahead of them. I am pleased with the commitment and eagerness they have shown in the preparations for this game. Coach Vella is also relying on the experience of Valletta defender Jean Borg who is a highly regarded member in this squad and the most capped player in this U21 Team. “Jean is a great professional, he’s a leader in this team," Vell said. "He's regarded highly within the squad, has always given his 100% and led by example notwithstanding the diffculty of the games we face at international level.” Sliema Wanderers defender Michele Sansone didn’t make the trip to Denmark as he’s recovering from a slight injury. “Like the three already mentioned, Michele is another who is always committed. It’s a setback he’s out of this game, but I’m pretty sure the Sliema Wanderers defender will come back stronger for the home games lined-up for the start of next year,” the Malta U-21 coach said of Sansone. Vella and his medical staff will be assessing the fitness of two players in this squad who travelled to Denmark and who have suffered slight knocks in the past few days. On a positive note he’s also delighted with the way newcomer Nevin Portelli has blended perfectly with the group, and in coach Vella’s words: “Nevin is the right example of opportunities given to new players mainly with regular playing time under their belt at domestic level”. Malta face Denmark on Tuesday at 1800h (Malta time) at the Nordjyske Arena in Aalborg north of Danish border, to wrap up an all-in-all positive journey in 2019 for this Malta Under-21 Team.