For better marketing
©IMAGO
Hansi Flick doesn’t think much of the planned staging of the Spanish league game between FC Barcelona, which he coaches, against Villarreal in the USA. “I can understand the players that they are not happy. I am not happy,” said the former national coach at a press conference before the home game against FC Girona this Saturday. “But LaLiga has decided that we will play this game, so we have to play it.” The duel on December 21st against Villarreal FC will take place in Miami for better marketing reasons.
Barça President Joan Laporta had previously advocated the appearance at the Hard Rock Stadium, where the NFL team Miami Dolphins usually plays: The game offered the opportunity to penetrate further into the American sports market. There is another long-distance journey for Flick and his players. On January 7th, the Spanish Supercup will take place in Saudi Arabia – like last season. “We know the situation, we respect that,” commented the 60-year-old Flick.
LaLiga charters flights for Villarreal fans
For the duel in Miami – officially a home game for Villarreal – the Spanish league chartered planes to bring around 2,000 to 3,000 home fans to the stadium, the AP news agency reported. According to La Liga boss Javier Tebas, there are plans to play one league game outside of Spain every year.
In addition to the Spanish league, the Italian Serie A will also play a league game away this season. The game between AC Milan and Como in February will take place in Perth (Australia). Milan professional Adrien Rabiot, among others, described this as “completely crazy” in an interview with the daily newspaper “Le Figaro”. “It’s all about financial deals and making the league visible,” said the 30-year-old.
The European Football Union UEFA had approved the requests “exceptionally” and “reluctantly” because there were gaps in the regulations at FIFA level. These would be revised. “While it is regrettable that these two matches have to take place, this decision is an exception and should not be seen as a precedent,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was quoted as saying in the statement.