Matchday 01: Valletta 0 Birkirkara 0
16/08/2025
Valletta marked their Premier League comeback with an entertaining goalless draw against rivals Birkirkara.
The long-anticipated return of this classic fixture drew an enthusiastic crowd to the National Stadium, as fans of both clubs rekindled the passion of a rivalry that lit up Maltese football in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The lively atmosphere carried through the evening, with both sides pushing until the final whistle in what proved to be an exciting curtain-raiser for the new season.
Coach Thane Micallef fielded just three players from last year’s promotion squad – Andrei Ciolacu, captain Brandon Paiber, and Neil Micallef – as Valletta unveiled a new-look team for their top-flight return. Supporters were lifted by the sight of veteran Steve Borg back in white, a reminder of the club’s glory years, while eight fresh signings, including former Birkirkara midfielder Yannick Yankam, Yuri Messias, and Jackson Mendoza, were handed their debuts. Understandably, the team needed time to settle.
Birkirkara, meanwhile, stuck with a familiar core from last season, welcoming back Kurt Zammit. They started the sharper of the two sides. Early on, Savic Radic’s mistake allowed Macula to release Kemar Reid, but Valletta goalkeeper Adison held his low effort. As the Stripes’ fast start faded, Valletta grew into the game – Ciolacu narrowly missing after latching onto Neil Micallef’s through ball. Borg, after a clash of heads, had to continue with heavy bandaging, while Mendoza squandered a fine chance before the break, firing just wide after combining neatly with Messias.
After half-time, Valletta showed more attacking intent. Yankam delivered a superb cross for Keith Brewer, whose back-post effort struck the upright. Soon after, Paiber’s free-kick was blocked by Birkirkara goalkeeper Miguel Ángel Martínez. Both coaches responded by introducing firepower, with Jefferson de Assis joining Valletta’s attack and Geoffrey Acheampong brought on for Birkirkara.
The Stripes regained momentum midway through the half. Reid cut in from the left and curled a dangerous effort just wide, before Acheampong caused problems for the City backline with his pace and movement. Their best opportunity arrived in the 81st minute, when Neil Micallef’s quick run and precise cross found Macula, whose header from close range skimmed past the near post – briefly fooling Birkirkara fans into thinking it had gone in.
The visitors pushed again moments later, substitute Jan Busuttil forcing Borg into a last-ditch block, while at the other end Valletta came close late on when Rowen Muscat’s free-kick found Radic, but the defender headed wide.
In the end, neither side found the breakthrough, but the intensity and drama set the perfect tone for the season ahead.
VALLETTA: A. Aguero dos Santos, S. Borg, A. Ciolacu (J. De Assis), B. Paiber (R. Muscat), Y. Yankam, K. Brewer (Z. Cassar), N. Micallef, Y. Messias (A. Zammit), S. Radic, T. Aldama, J. Mendoza (J. Azzopardi).
BIRKIRKARA: M. Martinez, F. Garrone Lopez, I. Morello, K. Reid (J.Busuttil), S. Dimech (N. Micallef), K. Zammit, L. Lacumza, F. Sasere ( E. Acheampong), D. Makoma, Macula.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara.
Yellow cards: N. Micallef, S. Radic (V) K. Zammit (B).
Most valuable player: Steve Borg (V)
