Atalanta have just started restructuring work on the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo, but hope UEFA will let them play Champions League games there anyway.
“I spoke to UEFA directors on the phone today and they are prepared to come to Bergamo by the end of June to see how work is progressing and evaluate our project to play Champions League games here,” said director of operations Roberto Spagnolo.
“We’ll know the verdict by the end of July.”
Atalanta have just started restructuring work on the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo, but hope UEFA will let them play Champions League games there anyway.
“I spoke to UEFA directors on the phone today and they are prepared to come to Bergamo by the end of June to see how work is progressing and evaluate our project to play Champions League games here,” said director of operations Roberto Spagnolo.
“We’ll know the verdict by the end of July.”
The Stadio Azzurri d’Italia will be renamed the Gewiss Arena once the work has been done, but unexpected qualification for the Champions League has sped up the process.
“The President is rushing us now. There are 80 men here working every day and from mid-July it’ll be 250 workers on site. The conclusion of the first phase is September 29 and we can’t bring that forward. If anything, we hope for no delays.”
Atalanta have registered the Stadio Tardini in Parma as their choice of home venue if the Bergamo arena isn’t ready yet.
They could play the first two games away from home or one of those in Parma to reach the September 29 cut-off.