If you speak to club coaches or managers, football friendlies exist to get players match fit for the upcoming season. Sounds good so far, although you want to make sure it’s a decent contest, unlike the recent Villareal match against Navata.
Spanish La Liga versus Spanish amateurs sounds a bit lop sided, and so it turned out to be. But who would have predicted it would end up 27-0.
Yes, twenty seven!
However, I digress.
The point is, what is the point of football friendlies for the fans? It is pointless.
After years and years of being sucked in to glamour pre-season tournaments or one-off big games to see world class teams and players, I have finally seen the light (and saved some cash).
I will never ever go to another friendly again.
Between 1980 and 2006, I have been sucked in with the marketing, the advertising, the idea that my club needed me, there even though the reality is that no-one needs to be there.
The final nail in the coffin was Australia Vs Greece at the MCG in 2006.
This game, like all others, was a turgid affair. Endless substitutions, players holding back in case of injury, fans totally under-whelmed, managers worrying about the trip back, with only the board members rubbing hands in glee with the thought of all the money they have made in a space of a few days.
Closed door friendlies are the way to go. Spare us the misery.
Or maybe games against Navata?
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