Sydney FC coach Frank Farina has hailed the Sky Blues’ three-week pre-season training camp in Italy a success after completing final training session in Jesolo.
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina has hailed the Sky Blues- three-week pre season training camp in Italy an astounding success after completing the final training session in Jesolo overnight.
The Sky Blues waved goodbye to the Stadio Comunale Picchi in Jesolo after three weeks of intense training and matches, which has been a tremendous experience for all the squad.
Sydney FC received unprecedented attention from the Italian public and media with more than 1000 fans attending every training session and more than 30,000 people watching the first five matches. Thousands more attended welcome functions and public celebrations in the Jesolo piazza-s as the magnitude of Alessandro Del Piero-s popularity in Italy was there for all to see.
While the exposure was a valuable branding and public relations exercise for Sydney FC and the Hyundai A-League, the main purpose of the trip was to give Sydney FC an ideal preparation leading into the 2013/14 season and Farina couldn-t be happier.
“It-s been an invaluable three weeks,” Farina said. “We-ve got a couple of injuries but nothing major, (but) the time together with the six games, the training has been fantastic, conditions have been great so I think in terms of preparation it-s been ideal.”
The Sky Blues take on Reggiana at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio on tonight in the 6th and final match after Sydney FC recorded three wins and two defeats in the first five matches.
During that time the Sydney FC squad has been undergoing daily training sessions, including punishing double sessions in the Italian heat, as they balance fitness and match requirements but despite some tired bodies Farina wants the team to finish the tour on a high.
“It-s important (to put in a good performance against Reggiana) but I think it-s more important that we get through the game with no knocks or injuries and the boys will head into a week off before we start again on the 2nd (September).”
