Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta doesn’t believe Milan’s missed flight will affect the Supercoppa Italiana.
The Rossoneri’s plane suffered technical problems and was stuck in London, meaning they will arrive in Doha a day later than Friday’s opponents.
Joint-CEO Adriano Galliani has complained that this will disadvantage the Diavolo, but Marotta doesn’t see it that way.
Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta doesn’t believe Milan’s missed flight will affect the Supercoppa Italiana.
The Rossoneri’s plane suffered technical problems and was stuck in London, meaning they will arrive in Doha a day later than Friday’s opponents.
Joint-CEO Adriano Galliani has complained that this will disadvantage the Diavolo, but Marotta doesn’t see it that way.
“I think he’s a very experienced director who knows football well, he knows these things can happen,” Marotta told Sky. “We don’t consider it to be polemic against us, we respected the schedule which was laid down by the Lega. If one arrives a day earlier or later it won’t affect the final.
“The modern theory which Coaches have is to arrive at the venue for the competition in some cases just hours before the match.
“So in fact while arriving a few days early could be beneficial it could also bring disadvantages. It’s about 20 degrees, so there isn’t a huge difference between Italy and here.
“Will Milan be disadvantaged? No, absolutely not, but I can understand the discomfort they’ve suffered. The fact you’re stood waiting at an airport for a plane is an inconvenience.
“I don’t think it’ll have much to do with whatever the outcome of Friday’s game is though.”
The director was also quizzed by RAI Sport on the issue of why the game is even being played in the Middle East.
“Because it’s an advert for Italian football, and I think it’s positive from every point of view. It’s not the first year that we’ve done it, and for me it’s the right decision.
“Milan threatened to pull out? I can’t see any reason for that, I’ll speak to Galliani.”
Finally, Premium Sport asked Marotta about Silvio Berlusconi’s comments that the referees will have to be changed to stop Juventus from winnning.
“Berlusconi said something sarcastic, he’s too intelligent to think that way. In the meantime, we’ve changed all the corner flags in our stadium which have the Juventus badge on them…
“We know that when you’re competing for a competition you want to win, the officials are indifferent.”