Torino coach Giampiero Ventura has given the thumbs-up to his squad’s work during their week-long training camp in Malta.
The boys worked hard and well, I’m satisfied. A vote for this training camp? An eight out of ten
“Malta has given me back my Toro,” Ventura was quoted as saying in Italian newspapers after the Serie B leaders flew back to Turin on Tuesday.
“I’ve found the same squad that I left in Turin, with the willingness to work and a smile on the faces despite the defeat to Modena, during the last training session before Christmas,” Ventura told TuttoSport in a report headlined ‘Ventura: Il ritiro a Malta mi ha ridato il mio Toro’ (The training camp in Malta has given me back my Toro).
“That was my prediction, if you remember, during my interview after we had just landed in Malta; well, I’m happy that it has been realised.
“The boys worked hard and well, I’m satisfied. A vote for this training camp? An eight out of ten... also because after the cold in the first few days, the weather improved considerably and enabled us to carry on with our plans.”
Ventura’s satisfaction at Torino’s Maltese experience is in stark contrast with the reaction of Pietro Lo Monaco, the director general of Catania.
The Serie A side ended their training camp in Malta abruptly on Tuesday with Lo Monaco blaming the bad weather and the inadequate service provided by the hotel that hosted them for their early departure.
According to Tuttosport, Torino’s stay in Malta also gave Ventura the opportunity to hold useful talks with club president Umberto Cairo and sporting director Gianluca Petrachi.
Ventura’s positive comments on the winter training camp were also reported by La Stampa.
During their stay in Malta, Torino took part in the Trofeo Portomaslive.com along with Catania and BOV Premier League sides Hibs and Qormi.
Torino finished second after losing 2-0 to Catania in the deciding game.
Torino’s training jaunt in Malta was intended to pep up the players’ physical condition ahead of the second phase of the Serie B season, starting with tomorrow’s home game against AlbinoLeffe.
Torino lead the Serie B stan-dings with 41 points, three more than Verona.