Ghedin happy with Malta’s performance

Malta were beaten 2-0 with Italy’s second goal being scored in injury time of the second half.

Throughout the entire match, Italy pushed forward and were denied a number of great scoring opportunities by the stubborn Malta defence and sharp goalkeeping by Andrew Hogg.

Talking to the press after the match Ghedin showed his satisfaction.

“Of course 1-0 would certainly have been great, but we are happy with the performance. Italy are an extraordinary side and so we’re content to have stopped them playing,” said the Italian tactician.

“Naturally everyone expects more from Italy, but they are a work in progress. Playing against them has the absolute prestige and so my lads were a little nervous, but behaved impeccably.

“Was it a good Italy performance? Let’s say it was sufficient, but a lot of credit for that goes to my lads for closing them down cleanly and fairly.

"Were we man-marking Andrea Pirlo? It depends, at times he was man-marked, in others it was zonal."

Meanwhile the Italian coach Cesare Prandelli said he was happy with the win but the Italian team still have work to do if they want to progress comfortably.

“We were a bit more organised in the second half, showing greater verve and creating more space,” said the Coach.
 
“We know September isn’t our best month and we’re not very sharp, but we have to rediscover our enthusiasm, pace and style of play.”
 
Italy returned to a 4-2-3-1 system with Alessandro Diamanti behind the strikers, but went to 4-3-3 after the break.
 
“Some situations will be examined and we’ll learn from them. A trequartista will struggle without space, so for the last two years we’ve been discussing the fact I only want a trequartista who can attack the space.
 
“Insigne did well when he came on and we spread the play with his introduction, getting more down the flanks.”

Malta's future matches for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers:

12/10/2012 Czech Rep. 20:45 Malta

22/03/2013 Bulgaria 20:45 Malta

26/03/2013 Malta 20:25 Italy National Stadium

07/06/2013 Armenia 20:45 Malta

06/09/2013 Malta 20:45 Denmark National Stadium

10/09/2013Malta 20:30 Bulgaria National Stadium