Serie A side Fiorentina will be wrapping up their training camp in Malta with a friendly tournament against two Premier League teams Gżira United and Hibernians at the National Stadium, on Wednesday (First match: 5.45pm).

Viola coach, Stefano Pioli, is looking forward for these matches as he feels that such tournament can give him a clear indication of the quality of the squad he has in his hands ahead of the second part of the 2018/2019 campaign which resumes this Sunday, against Torino in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

“We are not here for a holiday but at the same time it is a pleasure for us to be in a good location in which we can eat well, sleep well but most of all gather together as team after six days of break,” Pioli told a news conference at the Radisson Golden Sands Hotel.

“The triangular tournament will be an important test for us to test the credentials of our team ahead of the second part of the season.

Moreover, having so many supporters on this island is encouraging for us and it injects fresh enthusiasm into the players and the technical staff as we are aware that we represent them every time we step on the field.”

Maltese challengers 

Meanwhile, Pioli’s Italian counterpart Stefano Sanderra, coach of Hibernians, underlined his excitement for the opportunity to face a club like Fiorentina.

“It is a huge opportunity for us to share the field with some quality players and I thank Hibernians for this chance as it will help us broaden our football culture and knowledge,” the Hibernians coach said.

Premier League challengers Gżira United are the other team involved in this triangular tournament. Coach Darren Abdilla is expecting a spectacular tournament as two of the best sides in the domestic game will be facing a Serie A club.

“From our point of view, we already resumed our training sessions and after some friendlies, we are glad to have the opportunity to face Fiorentina in this event,” Abdilla underlined. 

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