After FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said it was ‘sad’ to see the Supercoppa Italiana Milan–Inter in Riyadh, the Lega Serie A replied ‘the real pity was not seeing Italy at the World Cup.’
The game kicks off at the King Fahd Stadium at 19.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Despite the fact both these clubs represent the same city, the game is being played in Saudi Arabia with barely any Italian supporters making the trip.
“It saddens me that only 400 spectators out of 58,000 will be Italian,” FIGC President Gravina commented during the presentation of the new Adidas Italy strip.
“I hope that our football world can find the economic equilibrium to cultivate the sport on our own territory.”
The statement made its way to the ears of the Lega Serie A chief Lorenzo Casini, who did not hold back in his bitter response.
“I think the real pity and what saddens me is not seeing Italy at the World Cup in Qatar. We are all sad that the Federation chose not to come to Saudi Arabia with us, on the day the first trophy of the season is assigned.”
The FIGC is responsible for the Italy squad, whereas the Lega Serie A is purely working in the interests of the 20 top flight clubs, and often these two needs have come into conflict.
This is also not remotely unusual, as it is the 12th time that the Supercoppa Italiana has been played overseas.
Only last week, Barcelona lifted the Spanish edition of the trophy after beating Real Madrid in this very stadium.
This divide hurts our Azzurri.
Lega seria A has some balls to say that the federation is to blame for world cup failure when lega seria a represents the teams is responsible for 40% of seria A being italian. I mean where r the people calling these traitors out.