italiaspeed.com

The Fiat 500 will be launched in Malta on Wednesday during a special football match held between local team Valetta and Fiat's hometown giants Juventus who arrive on the island today for a winter training camp.

Juventus FC come from Turin and are now sponsored by Fiat Group in a new three year deal, this season through its New Holland agricultural and construction equipment division.

Juventus FC, who come from Turin and are sponsored by Fiat Group (this season through its New Holland agricultural and construction equipment division) arrive on the Mediterranean island of Malta today for a special winter training camp, before proceedings in Serie A recommence on 12th January. Managed by former Chelsea FC boss Claudio Ranieri, Juventus, play in their famous black-and-white striped shirts, and are currently lying in third place in Serie A.

During their stay in Malta Juventus will play an arranged match open to the local public against Valetta FC, the 18 times Maltese champions' and 11 times winners of the Maltese Cup, and the event will be crowned by the launch of the Fiat 500. A glamorous programme has been devised for the arrival of the car on the island during the match which will feature Juventus' top internationals including David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Italian national goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who is also an ambassador for the new Fiat Fiorino van range.

Meanwhile, yesterday, after three intense days of training in Vinovo and on the eve of the trip to Malta, Claudio Ranieri spoke about the situation during his first press conference since coming back from the holidays. The Manager sounded motivated and he said he expects a '2007 model' Juve but with even more horsepower in their motor. And talking of motors, the metaphor he chose to speak about Juventus' season was unusual, but spot-on. "Up until now we've done well in the first straight part of the course, now we have to confirm ourselves negotiating the long winter bend before flying in the last straight bit. We're aware of what we've done and what still needs to be done, and we're convinced we can still improve a lot."

Improving: this is the aim for the New Year; small details that could allow the team to make another quantum leap forward. And Ranieri knows what he wants: "I've always said we've had to do without important players like Camoranesi and Marchionni for long periods of time. In any case we have to improve if we hope to achieve something more. We have to keep fighting, especially against ourselves, and then whatever we achieve will be the most that it was possible to achieve. To be specific, I’m not happy about our two defeats; we have to improve in terms of personality, in terms of everybody taking part in the game-play more, and in defence. When I'll see Buffon not having to do anything for 90 minutes, then I'll be able to say that we're doing well."

These ideas are to be put into practice immediately, starting from the team's winter camp in Malta. A new adventure that the Manager is curious about: "First of all I'm expecting to find better weather, but I'm pretty sure about that. I'm also sure we'll get a warm welcome from Maltese fans. As a team, the aim is to make the players tight again before the League restarts, basically we have to revamp the 'vehicle' taking it back to its best condition."