Italian champions Juventus have spared 13 players the trip to Australia for the International Champions Cup following their European Championship exploits.
Italy skipper Gianluigi Buffon and France midfielder Paul Pogba are among those given an extended break by the Serie A giants, thus missing their two Melbourne dates this month.
It means Argentina striker Paulo Dybala, on-loan Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia and Bosnian mdfielder Miralem Pjanic will spearhead their side for matches against Melbourne Victory (July 23) and Tottenham Hotspur (July 26) at the MCG.
The absences are not surprising given the taxing schedule of Juve players over the last 12 months.
From the club’s first pre-season match in July 2015 through to the end of the European Championships this month, seven Italian internationals were eligible for 71 matches for club and country.
Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Zaza, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Stefano Sturaro and Claudio Marchisio – have stayed home following their involvement in France.
So too have German midfielder Sami Khedira, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, Swiss captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and France left-back Patrice Evra.
New signing from Barcelona Dani Alves will also not travel according to Juventus’ website.
With 13 players, including Bayern Munich two-year loanee Kingsley Coman, in action at Euro 2016, Juventus provided more players than any other club.
They will still provide a stern test for Victory and English Premier League Tottenham – who finished third last season – their highest spot since 1989/90.
Dybala, 22, scored 23 goals for Juventus if his first campaign for the club and is widely considered to be one of the next global superstars of the sport.
Pjanic returns to Melbourne in black and white stripes after turning out last year in the red and gold of Roma.
JUVENTUS SQUAD FOR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP
Alex Sandro, Asamoah, Audero, Benatia, Blanco, Cerri, Coccolo, Del Favero, Dybala, Hernanes, Kastanos, Lemina, Lirola, Loria, Macek, Marrone, Neto, Padovan, Parodi, Pereyra, Pjanic, Rosseti, Rugani, Severin, Vitale.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Another development: this morning a helicopter was buzzing my route to work dragging a giant flag emblazoned with Juve's badge (and their sponsors Jeep). I'm guessing that ticket sales are really sluggish now.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The same fixture last year produced 29,916 and 26,511.
Punter
Guest
Well you could put down to the fact that Western Bulldogs is not a Victorian team.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That is a disappointing crowd TBH. Saints have a strong following and Doggies right up there should have easily drawn a 30k+ crowd. IMO the Juve vs MV match would have had nothing to do with it.
Mark
Guest
I would have thought 26k was par for the course for those two sides
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Only 26k at Docklands to watch Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda, no doubt impacted by Juve vs MV.
Mark
Guest
There were quite a few Victory people there tonight who most likely won't be at the other games. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the other two games get even smaller crowds.
At work
Roar Rookie
Will Tuesday nights game have a smaller crowd is the question. I hate being pessimistic about football, but I equally don't like us being taken for granted for these 'glamour' friendlies and charged amounts higher than a grand final. There's no way I'll be going next year to watch Syd take on Arsenal. I don't think an off season is a bad thing.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Is there anybody at the game?
At work
Roar Rookie
Now Kane, Alli, Dier and Lloris are out of the Spurs side to play Juve on Tuesday night. Things aren't getting much better
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
An interesting, yet probably expected development: I've just received an email from the ticketing company advising of a special offer for this tournament: Huge savings across all categories Platinum was $210 now $120 Gold was $160 now $99 Silver was $110 now $69 Bronze was $80 now $49 Looks like the chance to see Juve's reserves in action isn't attracting the crowds. I pity the poor sods who've already shelled out for full price tickets.
Bondy
Guest
Genuine football supporters dont care about this, its the same teams as last year flogging their wares this time around and people aren't really that interested .
Mark
Guest
Reports are 25k-30k for Saturday night. Will be very disappointing for the organisers.
Realfootball
Guest
Yep, they're well into rip off territory now. I predict disappointing attendances. The G is going to look very empty on Saturday. They've been rumbled, and can't fool all of the people, all of the time.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I wouldn't have thought a great deal of sophistication is required in picking the difference between an exhibition game and a Major League Soccer game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Yeh, only just realised that my footy team is playing a home game at docklands at the same time. I'm sure la vecchia signora will put on a great display, con fantasia e una mentalità vincente.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
And of course we should see this exercise for what it really is. From http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36830068 "What we've seen in the past 10 years is big clubs going further and further afield," Wilson added. "They are looking to leverage new markets, like China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Australia is not doing too bad." And in the same article: However, Premier League clubs' trips could have a negative effect in the long run, according to USA Today sports columnist Martin Rogers. "There is interest - the games are pretty well attended," said Rogers. "But as the American fan becomes sophisticated, they'll soon get tired of a second-string Chelsea side or a second-string Liverpool side. "They know the difference between an exhibition game and a Major League Soccer game."
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Clubs touring pre-season for a hit out is not in itself a 'bad' thing but to get the public to shell out plenty of hard earned cash for a practice game - minus star players - is stretching friendship and credibility.
AR
Guest
My understanding is that the deal specifies the G, but it's essentially the Vic Govt who has the contract, so it could move it to AAMI on application, subject to ground availability. For next year, I think it would take clubs like Barca, Man Utd and Bayern to stir up the interest again.
c
Guest
still a case of supporters of other sports loving to hammer football - there are many ways to fluff up events as they do every minute in the oval ball games but not sockha