Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah is relishing his time in Melbourne as his Italian club aims for even more success this season.
The Bianconeri are gunning for a sixth consecutive Serie A title in 2016/17, plus an improved showing in the UEFA Champions League.
It all starts for Juventus with Saturday night’s International Champions Cup game against Melbourne Victory at the MCG.
“Melbourne’s a lovely city and we’re training intensely, as we’ve been doing recently in Turin,” Asamoah told Juventus.com.
“We’re gearing up for Serie A, which we want to win, but also for Europe, where we want to show our strength.
“I feel in excellent shape and hope I can enjoy a good season, which, by working hard, I’m sure I’ll manage.
“The team’s even stronger than it was last season. We’ve brought in players with quality and experience who will be able to make a strong contribution.”
Juventus landed in Melbourne on Monday night, with manager Massimiliano Allegri and a group of players treated to a boat ride along the Yarra River in between training sessions on Tuesday.
Later, Juventus legend David Trezeguet met fans at a packed adidas Bourke Street store, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Victory captain Carl Valeri (pictured below) was also on hand, having his photo taken in front of the Coppa Italia and Scudetto trophies won by Juventus last season.
Juventus will train twice again on Wednesday, with morning and afternoon sessions scheduled for Lakeside Stadium.
Meanwhile, new signing Nicolas Gaitan (pictured below) has been officially unvieled as an Atletico Madrid player at the club’s Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Gaitan, who joined Ateltico from Benfica for a reported AU$37 million last month, won 10 trophies and scored 41 goals in 252 appearances for the Portuguese side.
Atletico reached a deal for Gaitan while he was playing for Argentina at the Copa America, with the 28-year-old winger arriving in Spain on Tuesday.
“I hope to respond on the field to the trust the club has placed in me,” he said. Â
“Atletico is a great club and I am very happy to be here. Now, I only wish to adapt as soon as possible to the team.”
Atletico, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur are taking part in the 2016 International Champions Cup Australia, presented by Audi.
Victory will open the tournament against Juventus at the MCG on Saturday night. Tickets are available here.
Victory will then face Atletico in a tour match at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium on Sunday, July 31. Tickets are available here.
Renew or join as a Melbourne Victory member and stand Arm in Arm with us in 2016/17. Click here for more details.
