If the friendly encounter between Italy and Scotland on May 29 lives up to the quality of the famous trio who attended its launch, then football fans are in for a treat.

Giancarlo Antognoni, a World Cup winner with Italy in 1982, former Scotland powerhouse Colin Hendry, a member of the Blackburn Rovers team that won the English Premier League title in 1995, and Lorenzo Amoruso, a former Italian defender who enjoyed a successful six-year spell with Scottish club Rangers, added a touch of glamour to yesterday’s event at the Centenary Hall.

San Marco Sport Events have teamed up with the Malta FA to stage the friendly between Italy and Scotland at the National Stadium with kick-off time set for 20.45.

Antognoni, the former Fiorentina captain who made 73 appearances for Italy, spoke about the excellent relationship between the Italian football federation (FIGC) and the Malta FA.

“Italian football is also present here through Pietro Ghedin,” Antognoni told reporters.

“I have congratulated him for the work he’s doing with the national team of Malta.”

Giancarlo Antognoni addressing the media yesterday. Photos: Steve Zammit Lupi

Antognoni described the Italy-Scotland warm-up as a game between two nations that have a great footballing tradition.

“Italy has generally done well in the major football competitions while the Scottish are very passionate about football,” Antognoni remarked.

Italy, who have been drawn in Group E at the Euro 2016 finals along with Belgium, Ireland and Sweden, endured mixed fortunes in their last friendlies.

Having earned praise for their showing in the 1-1 draw against Spain last week, the Azzurri came crashing down to earth after going down 4-1 to 2014 World Cup winners Germany earlier this week.

Antognoni played down the significance of Italy’s defeat to Germany.

“Italy is going to the Euros with high ambitions,” Antognoni said.

“The latest result, against Germany, may have been negative but we had a lot of regulars missing... the team’s performance was not good.”

Hendry, who has 51 caps for Scotland, sees the May 29 friendly as an important part for his nation’s build-up for their 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Scotland are in Group F together with England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.

“It’s an important game as it’s part of the redevelopment programme of the Scotland squad,” Hendry, whose son Kyle is on the books of Sliema Wanderers, said.

“It was a massive disappointment for us not to have qualified for Euro 2016 as all our neigbours – England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland – will be there.

“I believe that playing a friendly game against Italy in Malta has massive benefits for us ahead of our qualifier here in September.”

Amoruso, who collected a total of nine honours during his stint with Rangers, said the May friendly could be an important launchpad for both Italy and Scotland.

“I’m Italian but I played for many years in Scotland, so there is no-one better than me to describe the spirit of these two nations,” the 44-year-old said.

“Italy have had a very good qualifying campaign but are not among the favourites to win the European Championship.

“Scotland are trying to assemble a new squad for the World Cup qualifying campaign which kicks off in Malta later this year.

“This game could serve as a launchpad for Italy ahead of their Euro campaign and for Scotland in their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.

“It will be a nice occasion for me. Italy and Scotland are two diverse cultures but their passion for football unites the two countries.”

Excellent relations

Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA general secretary, expressed his delight that San Marco Sport Events had chosen Malta to host this friendly as other countries had also shown interest.

He thanked the FIGC and the Scottish FA for their co-operation, adding that this friendly is testament to the excellent relations the Malta FA has with these two football associations.

Stefano Pucci, head of San Marco Sport Events, said the level of the football facilities in Malta and the co-operation of the MFA officials were the main factors behind their decision to stage the friendly here.

“I regret not having organised something in Malta earlier,” Pucci said.

“We’ve been assisted at a very professional level.”

Pucci said the Scottish FA has already requested 3,000 tickets for the May 29 warm-up.

Ticket prices

North and South Stand €26 (€15 for children U-12); Millennium €50 (children U-12 €30); West Stands €75; West B VIP €100.