Discontent is growing among the four finalists of the Supercoppa Italiana, due to concerns primarily about the logistics of the match being held in Saudi Arabia. Clubs Inter Milan, Napoli, Lazio and Fiorentina are reconsidering their decision to participate in the competition, according to a report by Corriere dello Sport.
One of the main issues cited is related to the logistical difficulties involved in the away leg of the tournament. The initial semi-final venue, Al-Shabab Stadium, is seen as inadequate, with only 16,000 seats and is thought to be comparable to an Italian Serie C facility. Meanwhile, the larger Al-Nassr stadium, which is set to host the final, will already be occupied for the Spanish Supercup starting from the semi-finals.
Finding suitable training facilities is another challenge. The identified training grounds – belonging to Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, Al-Riyadh – are not all to the same standard, particularly concerning the quality of the grass, and are significantly distanced from the teams’ accommodations.
Also causing concern is the potential clash of schedules, which may force the three teams still involved in Champions League to reschedule their domestic league matches close to their European commitments. This could add to the strain on the players and increase the risk of injuries.