The head of the local health authority in Bergamo is asking Atalanta fans to avoid congregating to cheer on their team against Real Madrid, a year on from the Valencia game described as ‘a biological bomb.’

The historic Champions League Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium this evening at 20.00 GMT, but will be played behind closed doors.

The head of the local health authority in Bergamo is asking Atalanta fans to avoid congregating to cheer on their team against Real Madrid, a year on from the Valencia game described as ‘a biological bomb.’

The historic Champions League Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium this evening at 20.00 GMT, but will be played behind closed doors.

We have seen in several big games over the last few days that fans have gathered outside the training ground or the stadium to cheer on their teams with flags, flares and chants, with circa 5,000 outside San Siro for the Milan Derby.

With the fear this could happen in Bergamo too, the club published an open letter from Massimo Giupponi, the director of the local health authority.

“Dear Atalanta fans, the historic day we are about to experience sees our Atalanta welcome an icon of football in Real Madrid. It’s an occasion of pride, joy and sporting participation that we will remember forever.

“Let us live this great and historic game with the prudence and caution that the moment demands, avoiding congregating together, hugging, chants and meetings.

“The time will come once again when we can experience these situations in absolute freedom, and we will certainly get there, but now we need patience, the same patience we showed as fans in waiting for this dream game with Real Madrid.

“The fans in Bergamo will once again be able to show their love for the Dea with respect for their fellow citizens. Even if that means being in front of the TV, you will feel part of a small piece of football history in Bergamo, the kind you can tell your grandchildren about.

“Thank you for keeping us all in your hearts and respecting everyone’s health.”

It was practically a year ago to the day that Atalanta beat Valencia 4-1 at San Siro, the stadium in Milan they were using because the Gewiss Stadium was undergoing restructuring work.

That game, and the thousands who travelled to and from the city from Bergamo to attend or celebrate in the streets, was later pinpointed as a key moment in the explosion of COVID-19 in the Bergamo area.

The first COVID case was identified in Italy on February 20, 2020, in the Codogno area of Lombardy.

Bergamo and Brescia went on to become the epicentre of the pandemic in Italy.

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