After the confirmation that the Azzurri’s friendly against Moldova, scheduled for 7 October, will be relocated from Parma to Florence, the FIGC have now confirmed the venue for Italy vs. Netherlands, following an agreement between UEFA and the Royal Dutch Football Association. The match will be played at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo on Wednesday 14 October at 20:45 CEST, in what will be the fourth matchday of the season.

The move from Milan to Bergamo has been motivated by the fact that it does not seem fitting to use the biggest stadium in Italy, San Siro, for a match behind closed doors. Instead, a stadium that has recently been renovated for the Champions League and a city that was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Azzurri, who will be in Bergamo from 12 October onwards, will pay homage to the city, while adhering to all the necessary sanitary protocols.

The National Team will be playing in Bergamo for the first time in 14 years: the last time that they were in action in the city was in 2006, when they drew 1-1 with Turkey. Prior to this, they beat Malta 5-0 to secure qualification to Euro ’88, with Gianluca Vialli scoring his first goal for the Azzurri. Roberto Donadoni was involved in both matches, as a player in the former, and then as Head Coach in the latter.

The FIGC would like to thank the Municipality of Milan, M-I Stadio, the operator of San Siro, FC Internazionale Milano and Associazione Calcio Milan, and all the local authorities and associations involved in the planning of the match. The Azzurri hope to return to Milan soon.