It promises to be a match between two national teams that have made history of world football which will be held in one of the most fascinating cities in Italy, in the most modern stadium in Italy (Juventus Stadium). FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio, FIGC CEO Michele Uva, Italy head coach Antonio Conte, Turin mayor Piero Fassino and Sports assessor Stefano Gallo attended a press conference in Turin ahead of the game this morning. The game is just one part of the 'Torino 2015 Capitale Europea dello Sport' project (Turin 2015 European Sports Capital). This will be the second time the Azzurri have played at the Juventus Stadium. The first time was less than two years ago in a World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic. Italy ended up winning that match and the three points secured the Azzurri’s early qualification to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with two qualifiers to spare.

President Tavecchio commented: “It will be a match between the country that invented football and a country that has won the World Cup four times. To choose Turin for such an important event was the least the Federation could do. Playing at the Juventus Stadium will prove that we have good facilities.”

On this day, back in 1898, the Federation was founded in Turin and he asked the whole Italian football family to strongly support the Azzurri: “We are represented all over the world by the National team’s colours. That’s why I’m appealing to everyone in Italy: Please give us your maximum support ". 

Turin mayor Piero Fassino hosted the event and handed Tavecchio and Conte the ‘Torino Capitale Europea dello Sport 2015’ award, whilst receiving a personalised number ten national team shirt as a gift: “I wore that number when I used to play, I was an inside forward. I thank President Tavecchio for choosing Turin for this classic match. Both sides met here 14 years ago and their return makes us proud”.

FIGC CEO Uva thanked the city of Turin and Juventus for their support and then presented the initiative ‘Torino Città Azzurra’. The city of Turin will offer a series of cultural, sports and solidarity events between the 18th-31st March: “We want to involve the whole community. The presence of the national team cannot give only 90 minutes of excitement; it has to be able to make a lasting impression”.

Antonio Conte was sat alongside the Azzurri Sporting Director Gabriele Oriali. The Italy head coach said: “I will be playing at home. I have been living in this city for the last 24 years, I could say that Turin has sort of adopted me. I’m happy to be back here with the national team and not as an opponent”. The whole audience, which included Torino Vice President Giuseppe Cairo and Torino General Director Antonio Comi, applauded him.

In the photo (Getty Images) from the left: Mayor Piero Fassino, head coach Antonio Conte, FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio Sports Assessor Stefano Gallo