After a short break, Notts County's journey to Italy began. David was on the plane, eager not just to watch but to learn—from a true giant of football. He knew that while his club's vision lay in the future, real success needed grounding beyond paper plans.
The flight was tense for the young players still adjusting to life away from home. Unlike the more experienced stars who rested, many of Notts County's newcomers grew restless, their excitement evident—as did coach Low's growing concern.
Upon arrival, Juventus staff warmly greeted the team at the airport—more warmly than David had dared expect. Despite Notts County's lower-league standing, Juventus honored their mutual history and tradition.
The next day began with a routine training session, followed by a visit to Juventus' club facilities—a warm-up friendly in all but name.
Compared to the grandeur of Meadow Lane and Notts County's aging facilities, Juventus' infrastructure was surprisingly modest—a reflection of the Italian system where clubs don't own their stadiums.
Just before the friendly, Juventus chairman Luciano Moggi made a brief appearance. David greeted him politely but kept distance, wary of the man's notorious past and busy schedule.
Moggi was engrossed in managing Juventus' summer transfer whirlwind—a period that had rocked European football.
They had just sold Zidane to Real Madrid for a record $64 million, while Inzaghi moved to AC Milan. Buffon's arrival pushed Van der Sar to Fulham, with rumors swirling around a potential future move to Manchester United.
Despite huge sales income, Juventus' net spend was negative, thanks to enormous investments in Buffon, Thuram, Nedved, and Salas—totalling more than Zidane's sale.
As the warm-up match started, Moggi was notably absent, replaced by Juventus' vice chairman who accompanied David in the press box.
David restrained his usual impatience. After all, he was a guest in a renowned club's home. Normally, his fiery nature would drive him to take a front-row coaching spot, but here he stayed respectful.
What surprised David was Juventus' line-up—fielding basically their strongest side. The experience playing against such a prestigious club was invaluable for Notts County's young squad.
But the first ten minutes stunned David. Juventus dominated, confining Notts County to their own half with relentless pressure.
Unlike the previous friendly losses in England, which stemmed from incomplete tactical cohesion, Notts County's challenges here were more profound—centered on nerves and mental readiness.
Players' technical execution faltered; the pace slowed; and attacks stalled under the pressure of Juventus' world-class lineup. Few dared push forward when on the back foot.
Only seasoned striker Hübner appeared composed, drawing on years playing alongside Juventus during his Serie A career.
At the 15-minute mark, Czech stalwart Pavel Nedvěd surged through midfield and fed a precise pass to Del Piero, who outpaced Lescott and Westermann before calmly finishing past the keeper.
Del Piero, however, showed no overt celebration; his high-five to Nedvěd was perfunctory—revealing his disdain for opponents he considered unworthy.
David felt the sting of condescension but knew there was nothing to be done—Notts County was still undeniably the underdog.
His resolve, however, burned brighter than ever—to transform Notts County into a true giant of world football.
The players looked lost, overwhelmed by the task before them. They lacked the courage and experience to challenge such dominant opponents.
Gradually, Juventus eased off their attack, playing with measured control, treating the match as a tactical drill rather than an all-out contest.
By halftime, the scoreboard read 3-0—typical for a clash between a top-tier heavyweight and a fledgling underdog.
To outside observers, the result was expected. But David could not accept such a state.
Though the players were young and inexperienced, their potential to someday equal Juventus was undeniable. They needed time—time to grow into champions.
Biting his lip, David's forearms flexed visibly as he watched the players trudging off the pitch.
Juventus' vice chairman looked unconcerned, almost aloof when watching the game—an attitude that only fueled David's frustration.
Unable to restrain himself, David left the box and strode directly to the locker room.
Inside, Low was lambasting his players for their poor first-half showing. Most players stood silently, clearly disappointed in themselves.
"I'm not making any substitutions," Low said coldly. "If you're content with getting humiliated again, continue playing like this!"
With that, he strode past David and exited, leaving an atmosphere thick with tension.
As they passed each other, David and Low exchanged a gaze packed with unspoken understanding—two men bound by frustration yet united in purpose.