Juventus to Malta in January (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter ReBeL
- Start date
int:
wasnt he supposed to go to genoa? 
Anyway, here is a nice photo for Juve fans in Malta trying to catch the training
And here's another article:
Fans' passion lured us to Malta - Pessotto
The passion of the Maltese fans has been repeatedly mooted as one of the key factors behind Juventus's decision to choose Malta as the venue of their winter training camp.
Although the first two training sessions held by Juventus yesterday were closed to the public, hundreds of supporters converged on Ta' Qali in the hope of seeing their favourites go through their paces.
Some came equipped with ladders to look over the concrete wall surrounding the training grounds while several others improvised, transforming the steel barriers, used by the police and security personnel to cordon off part of the road leading to the Centenary Stadium, into makeshift ladders.
The Juventus players, coaches and other officials made their way into the training grounds from the Centenary Stadium. Members of the team's backroom staff turned up as early as 8.30 a.m. to inspect the turf, dressing rooms and make all the necessary preparations for the team's training sessions.
Coach Claudio Ranieri conducted practice under generally clear skies as TV crews from Sky, Mediaset, Rai and Juventus Channel focused their camera lenses on the players and the curious crowd.
Photographers were allocated a 10-minute slot to take pictures of the players during the afternoon session but local television crews were surprisingly denied access.
Gianluca Pessotto, Juventus's sporting director, was at Ta' Qali yesterday. The former Juventus and Italy defender echoed Ranieri's positive comments about Malta and the fans.
"The Juve fans in Malta are very passionate about the team," Pessotto told The Times.
"We're obviously happy to have come here and start our work for what promises to be a very important year for Juventus.
"Our decision to stage our winter training camp in Malta was motivated by a number of factors," Pessotto continued.
"The affection of the Maltese fans was primary among these but we were also lured by the possibility of training in climatic conditions that are better than those in Italy.
"Furthermore, we also knew that Milan had a great time in Malta last year and went on to finish the season on a high note. We hope to achieve the same results."
Having made an impressive start to the Serie A campaign following their promotion from the second division, Juventus have descended on Malta with the aim of fine-tuning their preparations for the second half of the season.
"We're delighted with the work carried out by the entire squad so far this season," Pessotto remarked. "The task facing Juventus was not easy as we have rebuilt our squad, bringing in a new coach and new players but all have done a brilliant job in finding the right balance and teamwork in such a short time."
Juventus resume their Serie A commitments with a league match away to Catania on Saturday. Lying third in the Serie A with 35 points from 17 matches, Juve appear to be well-placed to reach their objective of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
"Our target has always been to win a place in the Champions League. That said, if we can challenge for better things, we will certainly do so," Pessotto added.
"Inter are firm favourites to win the scudetto because of their organisation and the strength of their squad but we will do our best to give them a good fight."
On a personal level, Pessotto insisted that he had no intention of severing his long association with Juventus.
"My future is with Juventus," Pessotto said.
"I had a fantastic time with Juventus as a player and I'm also enjoying what I'm doing now. Juventus are very close to my heart."
Meanwhile, a stadium-like atmosphere reigned at Sky Club in Paceville last night as thousands of fans attended a social event which also featured the participation of virtually the entire Juve squad.
This afternoon, between 3.30 and 4 p.m., Juventus will hold an open training session at the National Stadium, the venue of tomorrow's eagerly-awaited match between Valletta and the 'Old Lady'.
Times of Malta
Personalised stamp for BetFair Cup encounter
The Valletta FC Supporters Club, together with Maltapost and Valletta FC, are issuing a personalised stamp commemorating the BetFair Cup encounter on Wednesday between Valletta and Juventus at the National Stadium.
The stamp, at six euros, is available in a souvenir envelope and carries a special hand postmark. One may purchase the stamp from L-Amerikan in Republic Street, the Maltapost branches in Valletta and Victoria and the National Stadium on match-day.
The Valletta FC Supporters Club, together with Maltapost and Valletta FC, are issuing a personalised stamp commemorating the BetFair Cup encounter on Wednesday between Valletta and Juventus at the National Stadium.
The stamp, at six euros, is available in a souvenir envelope and carries a special hand postmark. One may purchase the stamp from L-Amerikan in Republic Street, the Maltapost branches in Valletta and Victoria and the National Stadium on match-day.
Gonzi dumps Inter loyalty for photo opp with Juve
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is well known as a long-standing “tifoso” of current Italian Champions F.C. Internazionale has dumped his loyalty for a bit of publicity in what is being described as a "chance meeting" with members of Italian club Juventus who are in Malta on a training camp.
The move is simply being described as sheer propaganda and a little bit of cheap publicity, as done in other recent occassions where the Nationalist Party tried to capitalise on the popularity of sports people who happen to be in the lime light at the moment.
Lawrence Gonzi is such a big Inter fan that he had an official meeting with a delegation from the Inter Club Malta as recently as Monday, 3 September 2007, in which he was presented by mementoes commemorating the club’s successful league in which they won the “scudetto” for the 15th time.
(See http://www.interclubmalta.com/pages/news.asp?offset=8)
The local Inter supporters club said on its website that it, “presented to the Prime Minister two sets of badges produced by the club to commemorate the Italian Championship (Scudetto) won by Inter F. C. last May. Dr Gonzi was also presented with an embroided banner of the 15th Scudetto. While appreciating the club’s gesture, Dr. Gonzi augured to the supporters’ club, to Dr. Massimo Moratti and to Inter, more success in the coming years.”
More importantly, on 18 August, 2004, Dr Gonzi was the guest of honour at an event at the Inter Club’s premises when it commemorated its 26th anniversary.
(Please see http://www.interclubmalta.com/pages/news.asp?offset=36).
Then, Dr Gonzi had declared that he was a born Inter supporter and had been following them since he was four years old. (“Fl-ahhar semma li hu twieled Interist u beda jsegwi lill-Inter minn mindu kellu 4 snin.”)
Despite his well known and declared support for Inter, Prime Minister Gonzi had what was described as an unplanned visit from a delegation of arch-rivals Juventus who are currently in Malta for a training camp during which they will also be playing local league leaders, Valletta F.C. on Wednesday evening.
The Juventus delegation included coach Claudio Ranieri, players Nicola Legrottaglie and Alain Boumsong, team manager Gianluca Pessotto and members of the medical staff. The PN website said that on their free morning the delegation chose to tour Valletta where they also visited the Auberge de Castille, which houses the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The PN website continued that on hearing that this delegation was visiting the OPM, Dr Gonzi took the opportunity to meet with them as well. (“Kien f'dan il-ħin li huma għamlu żjara mhux mistennija f'Kastilja, fejn kien infurmat il-Prim Ministru, li ħa l-okkażjoni biex jiltaqa' magħhom.”)
Not everybody is buying the news that the visit was coincidental and unplanned. People point to the fact that the Department of Information (DOI)’s photographer was on hand and the photos of the event were uploaded on the DOI’s website and mailed to all newsrooms.
This is also not the first time that Prime Minister Gonzi has grabbed an opportunity to take advantage of well known sports personalities. Such is the case of when Maltese footballing legend Michael Mifsud was “invited” to the PN’s General Council and ended up sitting next to Gonzi himself in the glare of all the cameras last October.
It seems that this “surprise” coincidental visit of the Juve delegation with Prime Minister Gonzi has not pleased anyone. Inter fans are livid at what they are describing as “tradimento” – treason, while Juve fans are equally as livid at Gonzi’s opportunism.
A cynical and sarcastic Inter fan however commented lronically that: “It is understandable that Gonzi, representing his government, wanted to meet with the Juve delegation – they are, after all, both mired in scandals!”
Malta Star
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is well known as a long-standing “tifoso” of current Italian Champions F.C. Internazionale has dumped his loyalty for a bit of publicity in what is being described as a "chance meeting" with members of Italian club Juventus who are in Malta on a training camp.
The move is simply being described as sheer propaganda and a little bit of cheap publicity, as done in other recent occassions where the Nationalist Party tried to capitalise on the popularity of sports people who happen to be in the lime light at the moment.
Lawrence Gonzi is such a big Inter fan that he had an official meeting with a delegation from the Inter Club Malta as recently as Monday, 3 September 2007, in which he was presented by mementoes commemorating the club’s successful league in which they won the “scudetto” for the 15th time.
(See http://www.interclubmalta.com/pages/news.asp?offset=8)
The local Inter supporters club said on its website that it, “presented to the Prime Minister two sets of badges produced by the club to commemorate the Italian Championship (Scudetto) won by Inter F. C. last May. Dr Gonzi was also presented with an embroided banner of the 15th Scudetto. While appreciating the club’s gesture, Dr. Gonzi augured to the supporters’ club, to Dr. Massimo Moratti and to Inter, more success in the coming years.”
More importantly, on 18 August, 2004, Dr Gonzi was the guest of honour at an event at the Inter Club’s premises when it commemorated its 26th anniversary.
(Please see http://www.interclubmalta.com/pages/news.asp?offset=36).
Then, Dr Gonzi had declared that he was a born Inter supporter and had been following them since he was four years old. (“Fl-ahhar semma li hu twieled Interist u beda jsegwi lill-Inter minn mindu kellu 4 snin.”)
Despite his well known and declared support for Inter, Prime Minister Gonzi had what was described as an unplanned visit from a delegation of arch-rivals Juventus who are currently in Malta for a training camp during which they will also be playing local league leaders, Valletta F.C. on Wednesday evening.
The Juventus delegation included coach Claudio Ranieri, players Nicola Legrottaglie and Alain Boumsong, team manager Gianluca Pessotto and members of the medical staff. The PN website said that on their free morning the delegation chose to tour Valletta where they also visited the Auberge de Castille, which houses the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The PN website continued that on hearing that this delegation was visiting the OPM, Dr Gonzi took the opportunity to meet with them as well. (“Kien f'dan il-ħin li huma għamlu żjara mhux mistennija f'Kastilja, fejn kien infurmat il-Prim Ministru, li ħa l-okkażjoni biex jiltaqa' magħhom.”)
Not everybody is buying the news that the visit was coincidental and unplanned. People point to the fact that the Department of Information (DOI)’s photographer was on hand and the photos of the event were uploaded on the DOI’s website and mailed to all newsrooms.
This is also not the first time that Prime Minister Gonzi has grabbed an opportunity to take advantage of well known sports personalities. Such is the case of when Maltese footballing legend Michael Mifsud was “invited” to the PN’s General Council and ended up sitting next to Gonzi himself in the glare of all the cameras last October.
It seems that this “surprise” coincidental visit of the Juve delegation with Prime Minister Gonzi has not pleased anyone. Inter fans are livid at what they are describing as “tradimento” – treason, while Juve fans are equally as livid at Gonzi’s opportunism.
A cynical and sarcastic Inter fan however commented lronically that: “It is understandable that Gonzi, representing his government, wanted to meet with the Juve delegation – they are, after all, both mired in scandals!”
Malta Star
Special Juve features on Go Plus TV
Footage shot during a "privilege" visit to the Juventus headquarters in Corso Galileo Ferraris, where access was allowed to the legendary trophies hall, will be screened on Go Plus TV, the company said.
Being the main sponsors of the Juventus visit in Malta, Go said it will be broadcasting exclusive features and clips on Go Plus TV including interviews with protagonists of the Series A giants and comments made by players at the Juventus centre in the club's base in Vinovo, Turin.
The special features will be screened exclusively on the Go Plus TV sports channel Sports+1 today at 9 p.m. and tomorrow at 6.45 p.m.
A deferred transmission of the match will be aired, together with two special programmes: a pre-match programme and after-match analysis and review programme
In preparation for the arrival of the Juve squad in Malta, a Go production team visited the Juventus centre in Vinovo and followed training sessions on Friday and Saturday.
In exclusive interviews, both Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said they were looking forward to the visit.
In other interviews, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Raffaele Palladino admitted they were very enthusiastic about the training camp in Malta because they were aware of an extensive 20,000-strong bianconeri fans on the island and were therefore expecting a warm welcome from supporters.
"All this and much more will be shown on Sports+. It is a great opportunity for the thousands of bianconeri supporters in Malta to witness the preparations of Italy's most victorious club in their homeland at the Juventus centre and the Juventus headquarters as well as the arrival in Malta on board the flight and the training sessions and other events happening in Malta," Jack Mizzi, Go's content manager, said.
Times of Malta
Footage shot during a "privilege" visit to the Juventus headquarters in Corso Galileo Ferraris, where access was allowed to the legendary trophies hall, will be screened on Go Plus TV, the company said.
Being the main sponsors of the Juventus visit in Malta, Go said it will be broadcasting exclusive features and clips on Go Plus TV including interviews with protagonists of the Series A giants and comments made by players at the Juventus centre in the club's base in Vinovo, Turin.
The special features will be screened exclusively on the Go Plus TV sports channel Sports+1 today at 9 p.m. and tomorrow at 6.45 p.m.
A deferred transmission of the match will be aired, together with two special programmes: a pre-match programme and after-match analysis and review programme
In preparation for the arrival of the Juve squad in Malta, a Go production team visited the Juventus centre in Vinovo and followed training sessions on Friday and Saturday.
In exclusive interviews, both Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said they were looking forward to the visit.
In other interviews, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Raffaele Palladino admitted they were very enthusiastic about the training camp in Malta because they were aware of an extensive 20,000-strong bianconeri fans on the island and were therefore expecting a warm welcome from supporters.
"All this and much more will be shown on Sports+. It is a great opportunity for the thousands of bianconeri supporters in Malta to witness the preparations of Italy's most victorious club in their homeland at the Juventus centre and the Juventus headquarters as well as the arrival in Malta on board the flight and the training sessions and other events happening in Malta," Jack Mizzi, Go's content manager, said.
Times of Malta
Eyes on Ta' Qali as Old Lady meets 'La Valletta'
The much-hyped friendly between Valletta and Juventus is on this evening but the high-profile guests from Turin yesterday got another taste of the atmosphere they can expect at the National Stadium come 8 p.m.
Over 3,500 fans transformed the enclosure of the National Stadium into a sea of black and white and cheered their heroes throughout yesterday's training session which lasted well over an hour.
A deafening applause reverberated around Ta' Qali at 4 p.m. when Juve coach Claudio Ranieri stepped onto the pristine Ta' Qali pitch. He was immediately followed by the players, much to delight of the supporters who reserved the biggest cheers for Juve's leading lights, namely, captain Alessandro Del Piero, affable goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet.
Some 45 minutes into the training session which drew hordes of photographers and television crews, the crowd broke into another loud applause as Mauro Camoranesi, expected to make his comeback from injury at the end of this month, appeared on the pitch.
The session was transmitted on Juventus Channel while journalists and cameramen from other Italian TV stations were also in attendance.
The fervour surrounding Juventus's stay in Malta, reminiscent of when Milan were here at this time last year, is expected to rise by a few notches tonight when the highlight of their visit, the friendly against 'La Valletta', as the Italians refer to our capital city, unfolds at the National Stadium.
As is so often the case when a glamorous event is about to take place in Malta, the last few days have seen a significant surge in ticket sales for today's match.
A crowd of over 14,000 is expected at the stadium today to watch Juventus take on Valletta in the Betfair Cup.
The majority of the fans will almost certainly side with Juventus but the Valletta faithful are also expected to make a bold effort and live up to their reputation as the best supporters on the Maltese islands.
Nevertheless, the eyes of the tifosi will be mainly focused on Juve's stars, the likes of Del Piero, Nedved and Buffon, as well as a host of up-coming players like Raffaele Palladino, Giorgio Chiellini and Cristian Molinaro.
In comments he made on Juventus Channel yesterday, Molinaro admitted to being positively impressed by the enthusiasm of the Maltese fans.
"The passion of the Maltese fans has had a strong impact on all the players," Molinaro said. "I'm reliving the high emotions I felt when we held our pre-season training in Pinzolo. Moreover, the barrage of camera flashes during the party at Sky Club on Monday night was incredible.
"Pavel Nedved is a man of few words but during Monday's activity, the fans managed to get him to talk," Molinaro quipped.
After training twice on Monday, Juventus players had some free time yesterday morning. Coach Ranieri, Nicola Legrottaglie and Jean Alain Boumsong enjoyed a brief tour of Valletta during which they also found time to visit Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at his Castille office.
A crew from Juventus Channel is also expected to call on the Prime Minister this afternoon while Archbishop Paul Cremona, himself an avid football fan, is set to meet the players of both Juventus and Valletta prior to the friendly.
Some players, including captain Del Piero, went to play golf yesterday while Molinaro and a few others had plans to go for a short walk near the Le Meridien St Julians hotel.
"I was hoping to take a stroll outside the hotel but we were blocked by the fans," Molinaro said. "We signed a few autographs and headed back to the hotel."
Molinaro used positive words to describe the mood among the Juventus squad here in Malta.
"The atmosphere among the players is serene," Molinaro said. "We're now gearing up for Saturday's Serie A match with Catania and we will surely try our best to start the new year on a flying note."
Valletta, the leaders of the Maltese Premier League, have enjoyed an excellent start to 2008, taking six points from their last two games to cement their position at the top of the table.
The Citizens are well aware that their chances of gaining a positive result from their friendly kickabout against Juventus tonight are remote but they will be doing their utmost to cut a good figure.
"First and foremost, it's a privilege for Valletta to play a prestigious friendly match against a top team like Juventus," Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, told The Times.
"Our intention is to take advantage of this match to step up our preparations for the second half of the season. This friendly will also allow our team to experience the tempo of world-class players."
The air of enthusiasm brought about by Juve's visit to Malta also prompted Zammit to hold a mini-training camp for his team.
Valletta's 20-man squad assembled at a hotel at The Strand yesterday before heading for a training session at the Melita Ground. The City players, who slept at the same hotel last night, will have another training session this morning.
"We're trying to gain maximum benefits from this friendly against Juve," Zammit said. "I want the players to enjoy the experience but we also have to adhere to our tactical plan in the hope of giving a good account of ourselves.
"All the players in my squad will get a chance to play a part against Juventus," Zammit added.
"The only injury doubt is Keith Fenech who twisted his ankle during Sunday's match against Mqabba."
Times of Malta
The much-hyped friendly between Valletta and Juventus is on this evening but the high-profile guests from Turin yesterday got another taste of the atmosphere they can expect at the National Stadium come 8 p.m.
Over 3,500 fans transformed the enclosure of the National Stadium into a sea of black and white and cheered their heroes throughout yesterday's training session which lasted well over an hour.
A deafening applause reverberated around Ta' Qali at 4 p.m. when Juve coach Claudio Ranieri stepped onto the pristine Ta' Qali pitch. He was immediately followed by the players, much to delight of the supporters who reserved the biggest cheers for Juve's leading lights, namely, captain Alessandro Del Piero, affable goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet.
Some 45 minutes into the training session which drew hordes of photographers and television crews, the crowd broke into another loud applause as Mauro Camoranesi, expected to make his comeback from injury at the end of this month, appeared on the pitch.
The session was transmitted on Juventus Channel while journalists and cameramen from other Italian TV stations were also in attendance.
The fervour surrounding Juventus's stay in Malta, reminiscent of when Milan were here at this time last year, is expected to rise by a few notches tonight when the highlight of their visit, the friendly against 'La Valletta', as the Italians refer to our capital city, unfolds at the National Stadium.
As is so often the case when a glamorous event is about to take place in Malta, the last few days have seen a significant surge in ticket sales for today's match.
A crowd of over 14,000 is expected at the stadium today to watch Juventus take on Valletta in the Betfair Cup.
The majority of the fans will almost certainly side with Juventus but the Valletta faithful are also expected to make a bold effort and live up to their reputation as the best supporters on the Maltese islands.
Nevertheless, the eyes of the tifosi will be mainly focused on Juve's stars, the likes of Del Piero, Nedved and Buffon, as well as a host of up-coming players like Raffaele Palladino, Giorgio Chiellini and Cristian Molinaro.
In comments he made on Juventus Channel yesterday, Molinaro admitted to being positively impressed by the enthusiasm of the Maltese fans.
"The passion of the Maltese fans has had a strong impact on all the players," Molinaro said. "I'm reliving the high emotions I felt when we held our pre-season training in Pinzolo. Moreover, the barrage of camera flashes during the party at Sky Club on Monday night was incredible.
"Pavel Nedved is a man of few words but during Monday's activity, the fans managed to get him to talk," Molinaro quipped.
After training twice on Monday, Juventus players had some free time yesterday morning. Coach Ranieri, Nicola Legrottaglie and Jean Alain Boumsong enjoyed a brief tour of Valletta during which they also found time to visit Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at his Castille office.
A crew from Juventus Channel is also expected to call on the Prime Minister this afternoon while Archbishop Paul Cremona, himself an avid football fan, is set to meet the players of both Juventus and Valletta prior to the friendly.
Some players, including captain Del Piero, went to play golf yesterday while Molinaro and a few others had plans to go for a short walk near the Le Meridien St Julians hotel.
"I was hoping to take a stroll outside the hotel but we were blocked by the fans," Molinaro said. "We signed a few autographs and headed back to the hotel."
Molinaro used positive words to describe the mood among the Juventus squad here in Malta.
"The atmosphere among the players is serene," Molinaro said. "We're now gearing up for Saturday's Serie A match with Catania and we will surely try our best to start the new year on a flying note."
Valletta, the leaders of the Maltese Premier League, have enjoyed an excellent start to 2008, taking six points from their last two games to cement their position at the top of the table.
The Citizens are well aware that their chances of gaining a positive result from their friendly kickabout against Juventus tonight are remote but they will be doing their utmost to cut a good figure.
"First and foremost, it's a privilege for Valletta to play a prestigious friendly match against a top team like Juventus," Paul Zammit, the Valletta coach, told The Times.
"Our intention is to take advantage of this match to step up our preparations for the second half of the season. This friendly will also allow our team to experience the tempo of world-class players."
The air of enthusiasm brought about by Juve's visit to Malta also prompted Zammit to hold a mini-training camp for his team.
Valletta's 20-man squad assembled at a hotel at The Strand yesterday before heading for a training session at the Melita Ground. The City players, who slept at the same hotel last night, will have another training session this morning.
"We're trying to gain maximum benefits from this friendly against Juve," Zammit said. "I want the players to enjoy the experience but we also have to adhere to our tactical plan in the hope of giving a good account of ourselves.
"All the players in my squad will get a chance to play a part against Juventus," Zammit added.
"The only injury doubt is Keith Fenech who twisted his ankle during Sunday's match against Mqabba."
Times of Malta
And here is another group of pics:
http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Fotogallery/Calcio/2075/0/Entusiasmo+a+Malta+per+la+Juve
http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Fotogallery/Calcio/2075/0/Entusiasmo+a+Malta+per+la+Juve
Juventus melt in Malta Wednesday 9 January, 2008
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Juventus have lost their first match of 2008 on penalties against local side Valletta in Malta.
The Bianconeri have been in Malta this week for a winter training camp and hoped to end the spell with a morale-boosting victory.
However, they fell 5-4 on penalties to Valletta this evening. Cristian Molinaro and Alessandro Del Piero hit the side-netting before Ruben Olivera was allowed a free header from Pavel Nedved’s cross.
On the stroke of half-time Valletta equalised as Monosterolo pounced on a poor Giorgio Chiellini clearance.
David Trezeguet had a goal disallowed for offside, while Raffaele Palladino and Vincenzo Iaquinta wasted clear-cut chances and Tiago Mendes’ effort was beaten away.
Juventus visibly ran out of steam in the closing stages of the match and held on for a shoot-out, but Antonio Nocerino missed and Nicola Legrottaglie’s spot-kick was saved.
“We had a good training session today and it was important that nobody picked up any injuries,” noted Claudio Ranieri.
“I didn’t want to let the Valletta fans have this moment of joy, but I accept the defeat. We made a mistake with their goal and were unable to make the most of some excellent opportunities after the restart. We are still a bit green, but can now focus on Saturday.”
Juve open the Serie A weekend by travelling to Catania on Saturday.
In other news, Udinese earned a 3-0 victory in Cyprus against Paphos, who are currently leading the local Second Division.
Simone Pepe, Fabio Quagliarella’s header and a Viktor Boudianski free kick from distance secured the result, while Michele Paolucci hit the woodwork.
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli, Grygera, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Almiron, Zanetti, Nedved; Del Piero, Olivera
Substitutes used: Belardi, Boumsong, Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Tiago, Palladino, Trezeguet, Iaquinta.
Channel 4
_____________________________________________
Well...it was just a friendly.
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Juventus have lost their first match of 2008 on penalties against local side Valletta in Malta.
The Bianconeri have been in Malta this week for a winter training camp and hoped to end the spell with a morale-boosting victory.
However, they fell 5-4 on penalties to Valletta this evening. Cristian Molinaro and Alessandro Del Piero hit the side-netting before Ruben Olivera was allowed a free header from Pavel Nedved’s cross.
On the stroke of half-time Valletta equalised as Monosterolo pounced on a poor Giorgio Chiellini clearance.
David Trezeguet had a goal disallowed for offside, while Raffaele Palladino and Vincenzo Iaquinta wasted clear-cut chances and Tiago Mendes’ effort was beaten away.
Juventus visibly ran out of steam in the closing stages of the match and held on for a shoot-out, but Antonio Nocerino missed and Nicola Legrottaglie’s spot-kick was saved.
“We had a good training session today and it was important that nobody picked up any injuries,” noted Claudio Ranieri.
“I didn’t want to let the Valletta fans have this moment of joy, but I accept the defeat. We made a mistake with their goal and were unable to make the most of some excellent opportunities after the restart. We are still a bit green, but can now focus on Saturday.”
Juve open the Serie A weekend by travelling to Catania on Saturday.
In other news, Udinese earned a 3-0 victory in Cyprus against Paphos, who are currently leading the local Second Division.
Simone Pepe, Fabio Quagliarella’s header and a Viktor Boudianski free kick from distance secured the result, while Michele Paolucci hit the woodwork.
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli, Grygera, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Almiron, Zanetti, Nedved; Del Piero, Olivera
Substitutes used: Belardi, Boumsong, Legrottaglie, Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Tiago, Palladino, Trezeguet, Iaquinta.
Channel 4
_____________________________________________
Well...it was just a friendly.
