Juventus launch six-day Malta tour

Blanc looking forward to fruitful work-out in isola bianconera

"Malta è un'isola bianconera" (Malta is a black-and-white island).

This is how Jean-Claude Blanc, the chief executive officer of Juventus, depicted our country at the launch of the Serie A squad's training camp in Malta between January 6 and 12, 2008.

Juve's state-of-the-art complex in Vinovo, on the outskirts of Turin, was the setting for yesterday's conference call held one day after the Juventus-Inter Derby d'Italia clash which ended one-all on Sunday.

Apart from Blanc, the media conference was also attended by Anton Tabone and Gianni Filippini, director and consultant of Renaissance Productions respectively, and Marco Fassone, commercial director at Juventus.

Michael Sciriha, president of the Juve Club Vero Amore (Malta), was also present.

Outlining the club's programme of preparations for the next three months, Blanc said: "Our build-up for the second part of the season is of utmost importance. The team's performance in the final months of the season will have a huge bearing on our final position in the standings and after the Christmas break, the players need to start preparing for the second part of the league campaign in a best possible way.

"We believe that Malta is the ideal place to have a six-day training camp. The island is close to Italy and the weather is usually mild."

Blanc paid tribute to the efforts put in by Renaissance Productions Limited in convincing Juventus to choose Malta as venue for their winter training camp.

"I have to thank Renaissance Productions for giving us this possibility of doing a training camp in Malta," Blanc commented.

"Moreover, we know that Malta is a country where Juventus enjoy a great following.

"In fact, it is estimated that there are 20,000 Bianconeri fans in Malta and the supporters' club there is one of the biggest in the world.

"I also want to thank Michael Sciriha for his sterling work. At every home match, there are usually between 40 to 50 Maltese fans at the stadium and that shows the popularity Juve enjoy in Malta."

Great enthusiasm

Sitting alongside Blanc, a beaming Tabone said: "We are indeed grateful to Juventus for giving us the opportunity to host them in Malta next January.

"The expectations for this exercise are high and Gianluca Pessotto's visit to the islands recently stirred great enthusiasm among the Juve fans.

"Our hope is that this initiative is not just a one-off but the start of a long-term relationship with Juventus.

"In fact, we are exploring other ways of co-operation between us, like the opening of a Juventus soccer school in Malta as well as introducing the concept of the Juventus store."

Juventus had originally planned to spend four days in Malta but after discussions with the organisers, they have now decided to extend their stay to six days.

During their sojourn in Malta, Juventus will play a friendly match against Premier League side Valletta, described by Fassone as "la squadra storica di Malta" on Wednesday, January 9.

Le Meridien Hotel in St Julian's will serve as base for the Juventus squad during their stay.