Team Talk : Juve in Malta

Sunday, 6th January 2008
Italian giants for Malta visit...
Juve arrive today

Vincenzo Iaquinta, Nicola Legrottaglie (left) and David Trezeguet are in the Juve contingent travelling to Malta.

Juventus fever will grip the islands this week as the crack Turin giants arrive tonight for a five-day visit during which coach Claudio Ranieri will prepare the side for the second part of the Serie A campaign.

The Air Malta chartered flight carrying the Juventus contingent is expected to touch down at the Malta International Airport around 8.40 p.m.

The Bianconeri delegation will be headed by club supremos Jean Claude Blanc and Giovanni Cobolli Gigli who will lead the 25-man squad. They will leave the airport from the VIP area before being whisked off to the Le Meridien Hotel in St Julian's, their base for the rest of the week.

The first Juve appearance in front of the local fans is scheduled for tomorrow night when the players and Ranieri will be at the Sky Club in Paceville for a social activity.

All sessions at the Malta FA training grounds will be held behind closed doors with the exception of Tuesday afternoon which will be held at the National Stadium. The entrance fee is five euros.

On Wednesday, Juventus face BOV Premier League leaders Valletta FC in a friendly at the National Stadium, starting at 8 p.m.

Juve players will make their final public appearance on Thursday when they visit the premises of the Juve Vero Amore Supporters Club in Birkirkara.

Their stay in Malta will come to an end late on Friday when the Italian team, currently third in the Serie A standings, travel to Sicily ahead of their Serie A match against Catania on Saturday.

Tickets for the Sky Club event and the friendly with the Betfair Cup at stake are available from Juventus Club (Malta); Fenech Homes in Sta Venera, Valletta FC; L-Amerikan, Valletta; Simon Estates, Naxxar; Le Meridien, St Julian's; Giftime Shop, Hamrun; and Bargate Bookshop, Victoria, Gozo.

Match tickets are also being sold from all Go Mobile outlets. Organisers said in midweek that more than 8,000 tickets were already sold in the build-up for Wednesday's friendly.
Juventus contingent:

Players: J. Andrade, T. Mendes, S. Almiron, R. Olivera, E. Belardi, G. Chiellini, A. Birindelli, V. Iaquinta, J.A. Boumsong, G. Buffon, N. Legrottaglie, M. Camoranesi, D. Trezeguet, A. Nocerino, A. Del Piero, Z. Grygera, P. Nedved, M. Marchionni, C. Zanetti, C. Molinaro, R. Palladino, H. Salihamidzic, J. Zebina, J. Vanstrattan, C. Novembre.

Coaches: C. Ranieri (head), C. Damiano, P. Benetti, G. Pellizzaro.

Officials: J.C. Blanc, G. Cobolli Gigli, A. Secco, M. Fassone.