With mid-July came the start of a new season, and after a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Skonto, we then trashed them 1-5 in Riga. A 5-0 aggregate win against Cyprus' Limassol followed, before we bowed out of the Champions League after losing 2-0 on aggregate against M. Tel Aviv.
The Europa League proved a mixed bag, where wins against Atletico Madrid (3-0h) and FC Groningen (0-1a; 2-1h), a couple of disappointing draws against H. Be'er-Sheva and an inevitable loss to Atletico Madrid saw us finish second in our group and set up a tie with English Champions Tottenham. However, it was a tie to forget, losing 0-5 at home, and then, while trying to chase something out of the game, losing 7-1 at White Hart Lane.
The real eye-opener of the campaign, however, showed up in Malta. Having gone almost 4 season without being beaten (108 games), we ended up the season losing 3 times (including a humiliating 0-3 home defeat to Tarxien), and although we ended up winning another Premier League and FA Trophy double - for the 7th consecutive year - this was our lowest points total and highest goals conceded in those 7 years.
Could this indicate an improvement in the other Maltese clubs? If so, it is certainly a much needed one if the Maltese Premier League is to ever reach the quality of the top European Leagues. What's certain is that no talent whatsoever is coming up through the youth academy, a real disappointment.
Last year's Maltese Premier League drop in the rankings proved to be a minor blip, as this year saw it rise 18 places, up to 55th. Mdina Knights are now ranked the 44th best club in Europe, a 12 place improvement on last year.
Last year's Maltese Premier League drop in the rankings proved to be a minor blip, as this year saw it rise 18 places, up to 55th. Mdina Knights are now ranked the 44th best club in Europe, a 12 place improvement on last year.
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