JEDDAH, 7 January 2003 — The star-studded AC Milan arrived here yesterday and were greeted by hundreds of football fans at the King Abdul Aziz Airport. They were then taken straight to the Al-Ittihad Club, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Soon after arrival, the 22 players, accompanied by coach Alberto Zaccheroni and Vice President Adriano Callini, began training and were concentrating on the friendly match against Al-Ittihad.
The Italian club members were greeted by thousands of Ittihad fans, who had thronged the Ittihad club in a bid to get a glimpse of the AC Milan stars in action. Their patience was rewarded with the AC Milan team limbering up and practicing for the friendly match against Ittihad today.
AC Milan are playing the friendly with Al-Ittihad to celebrate the Saudi club’s 75th anniversary. Ittihad is the first Saudi football club to be established in the Kingdom.
The fans were treated to the skills of Brazilian Rivaldo, former Italian national team captain Paolo Maldini, Italian striker Inzaghi, Ukrainian striker Chevechenko, Brazil’s goalkeeper Dida, Dutch star Seedorf and former captain of Brazil national team Leonardo during the training session.
Adriano Callini expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia and play with one of its great teams. “Saudi Arabia has reached the World Cup three times and has established a great reputation, especially in 1994. So, we look forward to playing here in front of Saudi fans and hope to turn in a great performance,” he said at a press conference.
Rivaldo said he was very surprised to see the massive turnout of fans, and have come to realize that the Saudis loved the game very much. He added that he hopes to put on a memorable show.
The anniversary celebration will take off today at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium and 30,000 fans are expected to watch the match.
