André Schembri wants to rediscover his best form after admitting that the uncertainty over his future with scandal-hit club Olympiakos Volos undermined his performances for the national team in the last two months.
The 25-year-old signed a two-year deal with Volos in July after ending his association with Ferencvaros but the Greek club’s future was thrown into doubt after they were found guilty of match-fixing.
It was only after Volos’s demotion to the fourth-tier of Greek football had been confirmed that the Malta striker got the all-clear to move, joining Super League club Panionios last week.
“The last three months were difficult for me,” Schembri said.
“When you’re at a club that is plagued with uncertainties, it’s hard to concentrate and all these problems also affected me when playing for the national team.
“Now, I’m happy that all doubts have been eradicated and I can focus on my career both at club and international level.”
Although Schembri had to wait until late September to rescind his contract with Volos, he was not short of offers as his switch to Panionios clearly illustrates.
“There were other clubs that showed interest but I preferred to stay in Greece,” Schembri said.
“I had to look for a new club after the government ordered that Volos be demoted. I had already signed a pre-contract with Panionios be-cause they really pushed hard to get my signature.”
With the Volos saga now over, Schembri was able to shift focus on today’s qualifier against Latvia.
And he’s optimistic that Malta can add to their meagre tally of one point this evening and the remaining qualifier against Israel on Tuesday.
“We have to try and get some points from these last two qualifiers,” Schembri remarked.
“We’re not going to enter the pitch just to make up the numbers.”
Since his recall to the national squad last year, Schembri has often played in the proverbial hole bet-ween midfield and attack but with Michael Mifsud ruled out by injury, he is expected to play on his own upfront in Riga.
Schembri is unfazed by the pros-pect of leading the forward line.
“It doesn’t make any difference really if I play upfront or behind the striker,” Schembri observed.
“Under Dusan Fitzel, I often played as a lone striker. I feel comfortable in both positions but the demands are different because when you’re playing upfront, you get less time on the ball... you have to be more direct.”
Schembri gave an honest answer when asked if his involvement with the national side could help his cause for more first-team opportunities at Panionios.
“I was in the squad for last weekend’s game against AEK Athens,” Schembri said.
“I know, I have to wait for my chance as I’m new at the club.
“When I moved to Eintracht Braunschweig, I wasn’t playing regularly at first but then I did well in a 2-2 draw with Turkey (Euro 2008) and the coach put me in the team for the next game.
“Sure, good performances for the national team can also help a player at club level.”