The lovely weather that greeted Italian Serie A outfit ACF Fiorentina provided the perfect backdrop to their training camp schedule on the island. But it seems it was not only the weather which went down well with the Firenze top flight side but also the local facilities and ambience which greeted the Italians in Malta, which in the words of the Viola vice-president Gino Salica and former Italy and Vila great Giancarlo Antognoni resulted to be "outstanding".
The "Viola" landed on the island late on Saturday last with a complete squad, including Colombian striker Luis Muriel, their recent loan-signing from Seville.
Led by head coach Stefano Pioli, the Italians chose Malta as their ideal destination to get back into gear during the Serie A winter break and to step up their preparations for the second phase of the season. Fiorentina are actually occupying tenth place in the table.
Visit Malta Tournament
BOV Premier League sides Hibernians and Gzira United, will be their opponents during the Visit Malta Tournament at the National Stadium on Wednesday. The tournament will feature three 45-minute matches between the three participating teams.
The Malta independent spoke with head coach Stefano Pioli about all this. Himself having donned the jerseys of Fiorentina and even Juventus amongst other, this is what Pioli had to state.
Colombian striker Luis Muriel (L) goes through a fitness check routine during training at the Training Grounds in Ta' Qali. Photos © Domenic Aquilina
Q: Malta - how come Malta?
A: Malta because we needed to be back together after a week's break and this opportunity came up via the organisation, who visited Malta beforehand and found that facilities were optimal and very professional. We needed some lovely climate as well.
Absolutely very pleased by the way we have been greeted and treated on the island, the facilities provided by the Malta FA were very good indeed. Of course we are not here on hiliday but we are here working hard in order to get back in the best possible manner for the second phase of the season.
Again as stated already, after a week's break for everyone, the squad needed to be back together, eat together, rest together and train hard together. The turn of the new year will be important to us.
On Sunday we meet Torino in the Coppa Italia and then a very difficult fixture against Sampdoria awaits, so it is very important to prepare well.
Q: Fiorentina are at the moment in tenth position in the Serie A. Is it not dissapointing?
A: Obviously tenth placing after the first round was not our objective but to be honest we do not deserve to be in this position at all. We have another round to make up for this and I am sure we will do well.
Q: Will you choose Malta again if you had to?
A: Surely Will! Thanks!
The Viola trained at the Malta FA training facilities in Ta' Qali during their five-day stay in our country.
The training camp is being organised by Austrian-based sports company SLFC who have appointed MFA SportsPlus Limited to co-ordinate the logistical aspects.
Visit Malta Tournament Programme
Wednesday, January 09, 2019 - National Stadium, Ta' Qali
17.45 Hibernians FC v Gżira United FC
19.00 Hibernians FC v AC Fiorerntina
20.00 Fiorentina v Gżira United FC
Copyright © Domenic Aquilina/The Malta Independent