Another large crowd of fans – estimated to be well over 2,000 – gathered at the airport yesterday to cheer their favourites on their return to Malta after having beaten Juventus 3-2 to lift the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy on Saturday evening.

A similar scene similar to that of the previous week was experienced yesterday as fans greeted their heroes.

The fans chanted slogans, sounded their horns and waved red and black flags as the players passed by to board the bus which took them back to the Radisson Golden Sands Resort.

Milan’s group yesterday had the four World Cup players missing. Alberto Gilardino, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Pippo Inzaghi remained in Milan as today, they will be attending a ceremony in Rome during which they will be receiving a special award from the Italian President Napolitano for having helped the national team win the World Cup last summer.

The four players, however, are expected to arrive in Malta later today or tomorrow, in time to be able to take part in the friendly against Birkirkara at the Ta’ Qali national stadium.

Meanwhile, defender Leandro Grimi, who recently signed from Racing of Argentina and Brazilian Ricardo Oliveria have also joined the squad in Malta.

Ancelotti’s squad will again be training twice today (9.30am and 3pm) and tomorrow morning before the friendly against Birkirkara. Another session is planned for Monday morning – the final one – before the whole contingent departs Malta for Milan.