Juventus Women call up Nicole Sciberras for Lyon tournament

Malta international Nicole Sciberras has been included in the Juventus Women squad that will be heading to France for a pre-season tournament in Lyon.

Sciberras, 19, has been reconfirmed by the Bianconere for another season with the Primavera team following last year’s spell which saw her help the U-19 side clinch the Viareggio Women’s Tournament after beating the likes of Roma and Fiorentina in the process.

Last season Sciberras also found the net twice in the league, against Sassuolo and Chievo Fortitudo Women.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Juventus U-19’s were leading their Girone A championship but were denied the chance to challenge for the Scudetto due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a consequence, the Italian FA is mulling a potential title decider between Juventus and Roma, who were leading Girone B to determine the 2019-20 U-19 Italian champion.

Since the start of the pre-season, Sciberras has been part of the senior side after coach Rita Guarino including her in the squad in preparation for the new season.

At the Lyon tournament, Juventus will kick off their commitments against French side Montpellier on August 13.

Two days later, the Italian side will be involved in a high-profile clash with the current UEFA Women’s Champions League holders and six-time European champions Olympique Lyon, who also hail from France.

All games will be played at Lyon’s main ground, the Groupama Stadium.

This tournament will serve for Juventus as a preparation for their opening Serie A game against Hellas Verona the following week as they start their hunt for a fourth straight domestic title.

The Bianconere have already started their tune-up prior to the new season having played two pre-season friendlies against Florentia San Gimignano (6-1) and Servette (4-0).

Lyon are on the back of a French Cup triumph after edging Paris Saint-Germain in the final. They face Bayern Munich on August 22 as they resume their 2019-20 Women’s Champions League commitments in a unique final-eight format in Spain.

Meanwhile, Montpellier, who finished fourth in the French championship last season, were defeated by last season’s Women’s Champions League runners-up Barcelona 6-1 in their last friendly.

PSG were also invited for this tournament but they refused the invitation, with Rachel Cuschieri’s former side PSV Eindhoven set to take their place in this four-team competitions.