Juve coach Claudio Ranieri expects warm welcome for the team in Malta

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is expecting his team to be given a warm welcome in Malta by the numerous fans of the bianconeri on the island.

The Juventus contingent arrives at Malta International Airport this evening but is expected to be whisked straight from the airplane to the coach and then to the Hotel Le Meridien in St Julian’s where they are to be accommodated till next Friday.

The website Channel 4 Football Italia yesterday said Juventus were coming to the Malta training camp in a bid to revitalise the squad over this winter break.

It quoted Ranieri as saying during a press conference yesterday: “I expect a warm welcome from the fans that can further help to compact the team. We need to be ready to roll immediately as soon as the season kicks off again.?

He insisted Juventus must aim for the Scudetto, with the team starting in third place following the winter break. He said: “In 2007 this team won the Serie B Championship. We want to do the same in 2008 with the Serie A title,?commented the coach.

“Juve are doing well, nobody can deny that, but we have to do even better and give 100 per cent. We must improve our average points tally if we want to target something more important.

“Our objective has not changed - to be the best and bridge the gap from the other sides.?

Juventus have not yet announced any new arrivals to strengthen their squad but many believe that Mohamed Sissoko and Rafael Van der Vaart are among the prime targets, while Argentine Sergio Almiron is expected to move to Greece with Olimpiakos.

Juventus will be meeting local Premier side Valletta in a friendly match on Wednesday evening at the Ta?Qali national stadium.

Football ?Juventus?visit

‘Replay?and ‘L-Argument?with special editions for Juventus arrival tonight

The arrival of famous Italian side Juventus this evening will be the highlight of the local TV sports programmes.

In fact both Replay on NET TV and L-Argument on One TV will have special editions giving extensive coverage of the Bianconeri’s arrival.

Replay will this evening start at 8.30pm and will be aired direct from the hotel that will be hosting the Juventus contingent.

The highlight of the programme will be Juventus?arrival at the hotel.

Juventus played against Marsa in the seventies and againt Valletta in the early nineties in the UEFA Cup competitions.

Several guests will b present at the programme including ex-Valletta players, Jesmond Zerafa, Dennis Fenech and Joe Camileri who had all played against Juventus in these matches.

Replay is presented by Robert Cutajar and Cristian Micallef.

A special program of L-Argument will be aired tonight focusing on the arrival of the Juventus team in Malta. Past players which once they themselves have played against Juventus when they were last in Malta will be present in the studios, with other guests which are all juve fanatics. Moreover a series of vox-pops with the players, directors and supporters will be aired. Reviews of past games that Juventus have played all through their history will be shown together with exclusive footage that the One Production crew and the production team have filmed on their exclusive journey to Turin. The special edition will be starting at 20.30 on

One TV with Mark Cutajar and Clinton Buhagiar presenting tonight’s L-Argument.