Valletta FC and Gżira United are set to battle for silverware on Saturday when they meet in the 88th edition of the Meridianbet FA Trophy Final at the National Stadium.

The showpiece clash, which kicks off at 4pm, will see two of Maltese football’s most historic clubs aiming to end their campaigns on a high note in front of what is expected to be a strong crowd at Ta’ Qali.

The two teams have already faced each other three times this season in the Malta Premier League, with Valletta winning twice while the remaining encounter ended in a draw.

Ahead of the Final, coaches and captains from both sides addressed the media during the traditional MD-1 press conference held at Centenary Hall on Friday, underlining their determination to lift the prestigious trophy.

Valletta coach Thane Micallef admitted his side had limited preparation time following their recent league commitments but stressed that the squad had approached the week with great focus and determination.

“The atmosphere within the team is very positive. We delivered several strong performances on our route to the Final and the players are really looking forward to this match,” Micallef said.

The Valletta coach highlighted the consistency shown by the Citizens throughout the season, with the club remaining competitive across all competitions.

“I have seen this team play positive and attacking football all year. Looking back at the campaign as a whole, it has been a strong season and now we want to finish it in the best possible way,” he added.

On the other side, Gżira United coach Darren Abdilla described the Final as a huge opportunity for the Maroons to crown their season with major silverware.

“This Final gives us the chance to repeat the success the club achieved in the past and we will do everything possible to win this trophy,” Abdilla said.

“There is an excellent atmosphere inside the dressing room and the players have worked extremely hard to reach this stage. Finals are always unpredictable, but we know what we are capable of and we hope to reap the rewards of all the hard work done this season.”

Valletta secured their place in the Final after edging past Birkirkara in the semi-finals, while Gżira United needed extra-time to overcome Naxxar Lions in a dramatic last-four encounter.

Historically, Valletta hold a rich tradition in the competition, having appeared in 29 FA Trophy finals and winning the trophy on 14 occasions, making them the third-most successful club in the tournament’s history.

For Gżira United, this will only be their second-ever appearance in the FA Trophy Final, with their sole triumph dating back to 1973.

Valletta captain Brandon Paiber insisted the Citizens are highly motivated to end the campaign with another major honour after falling short in the league title race.

“We were the only team to reach the latter stages of every competition this season. After the disappointments against Floriana and Ħamrun Spartans in recent weeks, we are determined to respond positively and finish the season strongly,” Paiber said.

Meanwhile, Gżira skipper Gabriel Bohrer Mentz stressed that the Final represents a massive opportunity for the Maroons, not only to lift silverware but also to secure qualification for European football next season.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is excellent and everyone is excited for this Final. Every player is focused on fighting for the badge and doing everything possible to leave the pitch as winners,” he said.

Both coaches agreed that Saturday’s encounter promises to be an entertaining contest, with Valletta expected to stick to their attacking approach while Gżira United look to cap an encouraging campaign with one of the biggest trophies in Maltese football.

The Meridianbet FA Trophy Final will bring the curtain down on the domestic football season and is set to provide another memorable occasion on the local football calendar.