After the recently concluded Spanish Super Cup, Saudi Arabia hosts the Italian one, which is met with spectator failure and disinterest. The locals were expecting completely different clubs to those that actually arrived. Juventus or AC Milan were replaced by Fiorentina and the stadium was empty.
It was a sad sight. The stadium, which has a capacity of over twenty-five thousand seats, was one-third full. Saudi Arabia is increasingly trying to make a name for itself in the world of football and so, after the Spanish Super Cup, it started to host the Italian one. But there is no interest in the Middle East this year.
While the Spanish Super Cup lived up to the expectations of the locals, with three of the most famous Spanish clubs arriving together with Osasuna, there are clubs from Italy that are not so interested. The first two teams of the last Italian league and the finalists of the domestic cup are now participating in the tournament. Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Napoli and Lazio Rome have all arrived in Saudi Arabia.
The fact that Arab journalists and fans were expecting completely different clubs is evidenced by the fact that they asked their Italian colleagues directly at the airport where Juventus and AC Milan were. In short, the two most famous clubs they were expecting. The latter had already made an appearance in Saudi Arabia last year and together with the other finalist, Inter Milan, attracted over 50,000 fans to the stadium.
The lower interest may also be linked to the fact that star footballers are not uncommon in Saudi Arabia anymore and it is at Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh that fans have the opportunity to watch a star from the category of the biggest – Cristan Ronaldo. The Al Nassr jersey is also worn by the likes of Sadio Mané, Anderson Talisca and Marcelo Brozovic.
Thus, the arrival of Italian clubs may no longer be such an attraction as it would have been, for example, two years ago. Especially when it is not the sought-after Juventus or AC Milan.
This brings us to the point where instead of playing on home soil, in front of a full stadium and with loud support, clubs can celebrate their eventual success with their real and dedicated fans, they play in an empty stadium.
In front of people who are not very interested in the clubs in question. There were no flags or banners in the stadium and there was a sepulchral atmosphere. So why is this happening? The reason is quite clear. Money. All the clubs involved will of course receive a fee that they could only dream of when playing in Italy. But can footballers enjoy this?
A far better solution would be to leave similar cups in the home country and play a pre-season preparatory tournament in the Middle East, where the biggest clubs and their biggest stars could be presented in preparation.
Whistling at the legends
The local fans’ appreciation for the presence of European stars is evidenced by their recent booing during the opening minute’s silence for the late Franz Beckenbauer, or the boos for Toni Kroos during both games.
Image source: inter.it, Source: X, Livesport