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Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The mountain retreat - upholding an Italian tradition
The wheels on Josh Doig's plane had barely kissed Italian tarmac before he was whisked off to the Alps for a lung-pumping, leg-burning pre-season training camp with his new team-mates. "They said to me if you sign, you can go home, pack a bag, come back," laughs the Scotsman, reflecting on his arrival at Hellas Verona in July 2022. "I was expecting to be drip fed into it. "But literally I signed, then two hours [drive] straight up to the mountains, not speaking the language - it was terrifying, but after a few days I loved it." The ritiro pre-campionato - translated as pre-season retreat - is something of an Italian tradition. Clubs have long swapped hot and humid summers for fresh mountain air and picturesque surroundings in the north of the country, spending weeks preparing for the new season at high-altitude camps. "You have almost six weeks off with your family and then 17 days away," adds left-back Doig, now with Sassuolo in Serie A and speaking from his fourth such retreat, this one in the quiet Alpine village of Ronzone. "When you're in the mountains it's just head down and work hard. You feel dead on your feet every day but it is good because you know you are getting something out of it. "It is a shock to the system but it gets you right back in the swing of things with your fitness and the football way of mind." While many clubs, particularly those in the Premier League, now opt for lucrative global tours, the 'ritiro' remains relatively unscathed heritage in Serie A. "Every player has grown up with this kind of tradition," explains Genoa sporting director Marco Ottolini. "Maybe we have more mountains than other nations!" This summer, only AC Milan ventured outside Europe, playing in Hong Kong and Australia, with several clubs setting up retreats at their own training bases and 12 still making a trip to the slopes. Antonio Conte's Napoli are even doing it twice. "You have better air, oxygen," says Gokhan Inler, technical director at Udinese, who have made a short hop across the border to Austria. "You are more controlled with food and sleep. It helps build the group, new players come in faster." Italian disciplinarian Fabio Capello recreated a similar retreat with England before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, grilling the squad away from friends and family in the small village of Irdning, tucked away in the Austrian Alps. Others, Italian football journalist Daniele Verri explains, would use the remote camps to control their players' behaviour or stop them partying in pre-season. "Fans wouldn't even know where their clubs would go," adds Verri. "Now you get full houses." Over time, the culture has changed - as well as open training sessions for fans, most clubs allow players' families to visit, the camps have become shorter and there are more team-building activities. Genoa's players, for example, have spent time rafting and on mountain walks. "In the past it was much longer," explains Ottolini from Genoa's base at Moena, in Val di Fassa, where they spent 11 days. "There were clubs that stayed in the mountains for three weeks and for me that was something that was damaging the mental health of the players. Now you have to manage the breaks, give some free time to do different activities." Training methods have evolved too, of course. "When I was younger it was more mountain runs, up and downs, more physical, 1,000m runs back and forth," says former Switzerland midfielder Inler, who spent eight seasons in Serie A with Udinese and Napoli. "Then slowly it changed. Some coaches, like Rafael Benitez, liked to run but on the pitch with a ball. "Now on the pitch you can do everything - more people, more scientific materials, you can check more data. Before you had GPS, but basic things, now you see sprints, distance, all these things to fine-tune the body." For Patrick Vieira's Genoa, a typical day - when there are no friendlies - consists of a morning and afternoon session, around which the players can use the spa and swimming pool, or do some recovery work with the physio. "Patrick has brought a lot of self-consciousness and he transmits this kind of charisma, this calmness in the right way that is good for everybody," says Ottolini. "Patrick is very organised, he gives the right breaks to the players and then in that hour when there is training he wants their full concentration, their full focus." At Sassuolo's camp, it has also been daily double sessions under Italian World Cup-winning left-back Fabio Grosso. "It is full on," explains Doig. "We always do running or gym in the morning and always ball work in the afternoon. The gaffer is good with that. "Now it is getting more tactical. Tactics, games in the afternoon - it gives you something to look forward to after the hard session in the morning." Of course, there is still always time for golf. "There is a beautiful course, Dolomiti Golf Course, five minutes' drive away," smiles Doig. "Whenever we get an afternoon off, we're straight there for like five hours." 'It's an event' - why Napoli have two camps As well as friendlies and open training sessions, clubs lay on events for visiting fans - Genoa boss Vieira spoke in the square at nearby Alpine resort Canazei and players took part in a table football tournament. "It is traditional for the supporters," adds Ottolini. "They like to come with families to watch games and training, to stay a bit closer to the team compared to what they can do during the season." So popular are the retreats among Napoli fans, they have put on two this summer. "In the 1980s, all Italian teams went to the mountains - fresh air, to build team spirit. It was really just between team-mates," says Naples-based journalist Vincenzo Credendino. "Now the retreat of Napoli is an event. They train during the day and then in the night there is always an event. "One night cinema, another night the presentation of the team, another there is Conte with his staff answering questions from people, another with four players, a disco night - it's a holiday village, really!" But there is also an economic incentive for clubs. Conte's side spent 11 days in Dimaro Folgarida, in Trentino's Val di Sole, before heading for two weeks in Castel di Sangro, in the Apennine Mountains in Abruzzo. "For the regions, it is good to have Napoli because Napoli bring a lot of fans who go to hotels, restaurants, they kayak, mountain bike," explains Credendino. "It's a lot of money - it's like a real business for the regions for Trentino and Abruzzo. They pay Napoli to come but they earn much more." Verri adds: "For a mountain resort looking for visibility, it can mean a lot to host a top club's pre-season training camp. It attracts publicity and above all fans, lots of fans. "That is why it can be worth attracting teams for the retreat with sponsorships, free accommodation and various benefits." It begs the question - would clubs consider ditching the traditional retreats for more lucrative overseas options in future? "For the player it is hard," says Inler of that option. "After a long season, you go to a tour and it is a big fatigue, especially mentally. Smaller clubs, you are here in Europe, then it is less fatigue. "If you are higher, if you are a better player, everybody wants something from you, the club needs to promote you, needs to promote the club - the higher you go the more you have to do." 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Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic and Hibs star ‘attracts interest from Sassuolo' as Serie A side eye move for another Scot to join Josh Doig
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SASSUOLO are reportedly lining up a move to bring another Scottish player to Emilia-Romagna. The newly-promoted Serie A side already have Josh Doig in their ranks, who played a key role in their Serie B title-winning campaign last season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Josh Doig playing for Sassuolo last season Credit: Getty 2 The left-back made his Scotland debut against Liechtenstein in March Credit: PA Doig, 23, played 29 games in the league last season as Sassuolo won the second tier by six points to seal their return to the top flight. The former Hibs youngster has since been linked with the likes of Juventus following his standout campaign in Serie B. But should the left-back remain at Sassuolo for their Serie A push then he could link up with another player who once starred for the Easter Road club - and Celtic. According to reports in Italy, Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson is being targeted by the Serie B champions on a free transfer. The 29-year-old was the one who started the trend of Scottish players heading to Italy when he left Glasgow to seal a move to Bari in 2018. He was the first Scot to play in Serie A in over 30 years and since then, he has watched the likes of Aaron Hickey, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Doig and others follow in his footsteps. Since the midfielder's move to Bari, he has played for FOUR other Italian outfits - starring for Hellas Verona, Lecce, Palermo and most recently Empoli. He's now on the hunt for his next team after running down his contract at Empoli. And Tutto Mercato suggest he could make it FIVE Italian clubs in his career as Sassuolo are said to be looking at the Scottish blueprint once again. But he could also return to one of his former teams as his first Italian club Bari are also named as suitors. Edouard to return and Schmeichel's last year at Celtic Plus Munteanu LATEST Henderson has plenty of Serie A experience having made over 100 appearances in the top flight to date. Doig has so far followed a similar path to his fellow countryman in football as the left-back also enjoyed a stint at Hellas Verona before he moved to Sassuolo. Henderson spent two years with the club between 2018 and 2020 and helped them earn promotion to the Serie A via the Serie B play-offs in his first campaign at the club. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'A dream come true' - Irving makes Scotland debut with childhood pal Doig
Andy Irving says "you couldn't really write" his Scotland debut as he made it at the same time as his childhood friend, Josh pair came off the bench as second-half substitutes in Scotland's final game of the season in Ham's Irving and Sassuolo's Doig both attended Newcraighall Primary School and then Portobello High School in Edinburgh and were on the books of Hearts before Doig ended up as a city rival with Hibernian."I loved it. Just over the moon, to be honest, to make my Scotland debut and get my first cap," the midfielder said. £I'm just absolutely delighted."It's just amazing. It's something that you dream of as a kid, playing for your country."Having played throughout the youth groups, I know how proud that made me feel. To make it for the national team, I'm just delighted."Coming on with Doigy was perfect. Literally, mad, just mad. "Our dads are really good mates. They played at Edinburgh City together and stuff like that."I'm two years older but we used to play when we were kids at primary school and whatnot. Growing up, he was at Hearts training with us and whatnot. You couldn't really write it, to be honest."Irving spoke to Doig to mark the moment."'How is this happening? We're both coming on at the same time.' I'm sure for him it's a dream come true, just like mine," he added.
STV News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Doig ‘bursting with pride' after ending long wait for Scotland debut
Josh Doig was 'bursting with pride' to make his long-awaited Scotland debut in the 4-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein. The Sassuolo left-back was first named in a squad in September 2022 but has had to bide his time amid competition from Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Greg Taylor. The former Hibernian defender's big moment came just before the hour mark in Vaduz on Monday evening. 'I've been in a few squads now, so I'm just absolutely delighted to get on the pitch, and obviously to get a win as well, it's a good feeling,' the 23-year-old told BBC Scotland. 'After half-time, I got the shout that something like that was going to be going on, so I was bursting with pride when I got on the pitch. You've got a job to do, so you have to focus on that first, but I was absolutely delighted.' Doig made a big impact with an enterprising display and came close to a debut goal when his shot was turned past the post. 'It was a bit of a hundred miles per hour when I came on, but I was just so delighted to actually get on the pitch,' he said. 'Obviously, I've been on a lot of squads, but at the same time, it's not a bad thing. It's an absolute honour just to be picked, to be playing alongside some of the guys on the pitch, world-class players. 'I'm just absolutely delighted to get on and just bursting with pride for me and my family.' Doig has been happy to learn from his rivals for a place in the team. 'Obviously, in my position, you've probably got some of the best two left-backs in the world at the moment, so it can't not help me being around them and being in that environment,' he said. 'It's obviously where you want to be at the end of the day.' The landmark moment capped a successful season for the former Hellas Verona player, who played a key role in Sassuolo's Serie B title triumph. 'It's been a long season, a lot of ups and downs, but I'm obviously delighted to get promoted and this is just the icing on the cake to get my debut as well,' he said. 'It's been a good season all round. 'I love it there, absolutely love it. It's such a nice part of the world where I stay, in Modena. Obviously I was in Verona before, it's just two of the most beautiful places you could ask for. 'I couldn't be happier, I'm really happy with where I am in my life right now and I'm looking forward to another season in Italy.' Head coach Steve Clarke stated that the team that finished the game was maybe a 'glimpse of the future' after handing out five debuts overall and giving Lennon Miller an impressive first start. STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Two Serie A Scotland stars tipped for moves as £12m price-tag slapped on title winner
Uncapped defender fits system desired under new Juve manager Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Two of Scottish football's Italian contingent could be set for moves this summer in what could be a busy transfer window for Scots abroad. It was a hugely successful season for a number of Scottish players in Italy, with Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour winning Serie A with Napoli and Lewis Ferguson lifting the Coppa Italia with Bologna. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, down in the second tier of Italian football, there was another Scottish success story - with left-back Josh Doig playing a big part in Sassuolo winning Serie B and earning immediate promotion back to the top flight. Josh Doig helped Sassuolo win promotion back to Serie A this season. | Getty Images Doig has been a regular for Sassuolo this season after joining them from Hellas Verona 18 months ago, and now the 23-year-old is being linked with a move to Juventus. According to reports in Italy, new Juve manager Igor Tudor's transfer priority is new wing-backs and the Croatian coach has been impressed by Doig's development since moving to Italy from Hibs three years ago. Doig is currently with the Scotland squad ahead of their friendly away to Liechtenstein on Monday night and could win his first cap if selected in Vaduz. But his form with Sassuolo, where he has been one of their chief attacking outlets down the left flank, has caught the eye of Tudor, who is expected to play a 3-5-2 formation at Juventus next season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Doig's price-tag He has also been linked with Bologna wing-back Dan Ddoye, who is also on international duty right now with Switzerland. And if Tudor was to launch a bid for Doig, it could cost Juventus upwards of £12 million to land him, as he contracted to Sassuolo until 2028. Doig came through the youth ranks at Hibs and was part of the team under Jack Ross that finished third in the Premiership during the 2020/21 campaign. He was sold to Verona in the summer of 2022 and then moved on Sassuolo, although he nearly signed for Marseille in France before the transfer fell apart at the last minute. Another former Hibs player could be on the move in Italy, with midfielder Liam Henderson weighing up his future after his contract at Empoli expired last month. A Celtic academy graduate, Henderson was part of the Hibs team that won the Scottish Cup in 2016. He made the move to Italy in 2018 with Bari and has remained there ever since, playing for Verona, Lecce, Palermo and Empoli. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Liam Henderson was relegated with Empoli. | Getty Images The Tuscan side were relegated to Serie B on the final day of last season, a sad end to Henderson's four years at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. It now appears, though, that the 29-year-old could be on his way back to British football. It has been reported that English Championship side Bristol City are weighing up a move for the out-of-contract deep-lying midfielder. Swansea City had also been suggested as a potential suitor, but cold water has been poured on that link by Welsh media outlets.
