With the hope of experiencing another magic night today, yesterday Florence lit up in blue to welcome the European champions. The most prestigious monuments in the Tuscan city were illuminated in honour of Roberto Mancini’s Italy, who return to the pitch fifty-three days after their triumph at Wembley, with the aim of taking a further step towards qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Tonight, at the Artemio Franchi (Kick-off: 20.45 CEST), Italy will be back playing in front of their fans again, with 9,000 people already securing a ticket to attend the match (the expected capacity is about 19,000). The aim is to win the fourth consecutive match in qualifying, with a victory also enabling the team to equal Spain’s record of consecutive unbeaten results (35). The match against Bulgaria will also be an opportunity to remember Francesco Morini, who died on Tuesday at the age of 77. A minute’s silence will be observed in memory of the former national team defender and the Azzurri will wear armbands in his memory.

Before the match, UEFA will award a cap to Leonardo Bonucci for reaching 100 appearances for the national team. The defender had already received a commemorative plaque from FIGC President Gabriele Gravina before the friendly match against San Marino played on 28 May in Cagliari.