Italian football giants Juventus were given a very warm welcome by a large number of their fans, especially near the Hotel Le Meridien in St Julian’s where they will be accommodated during their Malta training camp.
The outfit arrived at Malta International Airport late yesterday evening on a charter flight from Turin and the players were whisked into a coach and taken straight to the St Julian’s hotel where a large number of their fans was waiting for their arrival.
Earlier, in view of the fact that the fans were not allowed to watch their favourites at the airport due to an MIA decision, fans and supporters were given the opportunity of accompanying the branded Juventus coach along the streets to Le Meridien Hotel. Juventus have also made it clear that all training sessions, except for that of tomorrow, will be held behind closed doors. Their first training session is scheduled for this morning and there will be another one in the afternoon. The squad is also expected to have a training session on Wednesday morning, the day of the match against Valletta which is to commence at 8pm.
The public will be able to see the full squad at the Sky Club event in Paceville today at 8.30pm. This star studded event, tickets for which will be available at the door, will include an appearance by all the Juventus team players accompanied by the management.
This event is unique as it is very seldom that Juventus accept to be present with all their players at such a function. The Juventus management did not wish to disappoint its large Maltese fan base and have accepted RPL’s invitation to participate with the full squad.
Marco Dejana, more commonly known to all Juventus fans as DJ Nana’, will be conducting the show. Mr Dejana is the personality that colourfully animates and presents the Juventus squad before and after all football matches at Stadio Comunale in Torino. DJ Nana’ will be joined by Valeria Ciardiello, the popular presenter of Juventus Channel, who will be also animating the Valletta-Juventus match at Ta’ Qali on Wednesday.
The 25 Juventus players who have made the trip to Malta are the following – Almeida, Tiago, Almiron, Olivera, Belardi, Chiellini, Birindelli, Iaquinta, Boumsong, Buffon, Legrottaglie, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Nocerino, Del Piero, Grygera, Nedved, Marchionni, Zanetti, Molinaro, Palladino, Salihamidzic, Zebina, Vanstrattan and Novembre.
Another chance for the public to see the Juventus players in action will be during tomorrow afternoon’s training session at the Ta’ Qali national Stadium. It starts at 3pm, but it will be the only session open for the public against payment of e5. Tickets will be available at Ta’ Qali Stadium’s ticket booths and entrance will be through West Side A and C (Enclosure).
Tickets for Wednesday’s match will be available from Ta’ Qali cash booths on the West Side on Tuesday between 2pm and 6pm, and on Wednesday from 9am till 2pm. Due to the euro changeover, the public is being kindly requested to present the exact amount (either in euro or Maltese liri) to avoid long waiting times.
Just a limited number of promotional tickets in the North and South Stands being sold at e28 / Lm12 are still available. Once these tickets finish, the North and South Stands will be sold at last minute price of e34.90/Lm15; Millennium Stand at e58.20/Lm 25; West Stand e81.50/Lm 35. There are just a few remaining tickets in VIP at e104.80/Lm 45.
After their five-day stay here, Juventus will be leaving the island on Friday evening, flying straight to Catania, where they are expected to play their next Serie A match the following day.
Tickets for the match against Valletta for the Betfair Cup (all areas and child tickets) are available from Juventus Club (Malta); Fenech Homes in Hamrun – tel. 7948-0851; Valletta FC; L-American – tel. 9945-8140; Simon Estates, Labour Ave, Naxxar and Le Meridien St. Julians – tel. 7942-9090; Giftime Shop, Main Road, Hamrun – tel. 9949-660; Bargate Bookshop, Gozo – tel. 994-47625. Match tickets (except child tickets) are also available from GO Mobile outlets. Ticket Hotline 7988-8828. Enquiries on juventus [email protected]
Ranieri says Juventus should challenge for the title
Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is expecting his team to be revived after the Malta training camp giving a clear indication that he wanted his side to challenge for the Italian League title this season.
Speaking to reporters soon after the squad’s arrival yesterday evening, Ranieri said he was pleased that his side was given such a warm welcome by the numerous fans of the bianconeri on the island.
The aim of the Malta training camp is that of revitalising the squad over this winter break.
Ranieri said he hoped that after this camp in Malta, the side will start the New Year programme with a win in Catania that would help them build up their confidence ahead of their forthcoming matches.
He insisted Juventus must aim for the Scudetto, with the team starting in third place following the winter break. He said: “Our objective has not changed – to be the best and bridge the gap from the other sides”.