Juventus Hong Kong trip a ‘double-edged sword’, according to ex Dutch star Edgar Davids
Italian club’s former midfielder sees positives in promoting club brand in new markets, but issues warning over player welfare
Edgar Davids believes Juventus’s long-haul summer pre-season represents a “double-edged sword”, with the Italian club gaining exposure in valuable markets but players taking the strain before a frantic nine-month campaign.
Currently clinging to Serie A’s fourth and final Champions League spot for next season, Juventus are poised to face Chelsea at Kai Tak Stadium on August 5 as part of the Hong Kong Football Festival. They will then transfer to Australia for games in Perth against Inter Milan on August 8 and Palermo three days later.
Although Inter reached last season’s Champions League final, no Italian club advanced beyond the quarter-finals in European competition this season, while Serie A has long ceded ground to England’s Premier League in the battle for overseas interest and television cash.
While selling clubs to new fans was important, the former Netherlands and Juventus midfielder said it was also necessary to “manage expectations around the matches, and to take care of demands on the players”.
“They have to travel a lot [in pre-season], then have intensive, high-level games,” he added. “Even though it’ll be early in their preparations, when you’re playing against a big team you know you have to give everything. Everyone will want to compete, but I don’t know how their playing load will be managed.”