On the 7 September at 8.45pm the San Siro stadium will be the stage for a prestigious historic friendly: Milan Glorie – the team created by the Milan Foundation with the aim of strengthening its initiatives for gathering funds – will take on Real Madrid Veteranos to compete for the “Telecom Italia Trophy for the fight against ALS”.
The star studded event will include big names that have made football history in Italy, Spain and around the world. The Milan Glorie team is comprised of: Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi, Zvonimir Boban, Angelo Carbone, Angelo Colombo, Alessandro Costacurta, Roberto Donadoni, Stefano Eranio, Alberigo Evani, Diego Fuser, Filippo Galli, Giovanni Galli, Maurizio Ganz, Gigi Lentini, Leonardo, Graziano Mannari, Roberto Mussi, Stefano Nava, Sebastiano Rossi, Arrigo Sacchi, Marco Simone, Giovanni Stroppa, Mauro Tassotti, Marco Van Basten, Pietro Paolo Virdis, George Weah.
The Real Madrid Veteranos line up is: Alfonso, Amavisca, Buyo, De Las Heras, Esnaider, Gallego, Geni, Ivan, Juanma, Julio Llorente, Karanka, Koke Contreras, Mesas, Morales, Ramis, Sabido, Sanchis, Velasco, Victor.
Proceeds for the match will go to the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation, to contribute to brain stem cell research for the cure of neurodegenerative diseases, and to the Viva la Vita Onlus Association for the improvement of the Centre for ALS at the Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara.
For the whole of 2009, the Milan Foundation has decided to support the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation and will assign the proceeds from all the Milan Glorie matches for research into ALS, to help patients affected by this disease as well as provide support for their families.
Stefano Borgonovo will be also present on the sidelines of the match to represent all those people affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and their families, who fight day after day in the hope of defeating the disease.
ICT technology often represents the only way that sufferers of ALS have to communicate with the outside world. That is why Telecom Italia is glad to be involved in this initiative which also confirms its support for the Viva la Vita Onlus Association, to which 40 computers have been donated for use by people affected by this disease and with which it actively collaborates in the fine tuning of therapeutic systems for remote monitoring.
“Milan Glorie is a team of great champions and great men, who have chosen to stand by Stefano Borgonovo in his fight,which he runs not only for himself but also for all those suffering from ALS, and for the research into the disease”, said Adriano Galliani, Vice President and CEO of the via Turati Club. “Improving the quality of life for the sufferers and advance research, also requires the economic commitment of everyone. The Milan Foundation, this time together with Telecom Italia, has joined this cause with enthusiasm, and I am certain that our fans and those with a passion for football will not withhold their support”.
“We have been partners of Italian football for over ten years and when, as in this case, it is possible to gain attention and substance for an important social cause, we are even happier to be involved in the sport most loved by Italians” said Carlo Fornaro, Director of External Relations at Telecom Italia. “Furthermore, this initiative allows us to confirm our specific commitment to the fight against ALS and in particular the support for the activities of Viva la Vita Onlus, with which we have collaborated for a while now”.
"The idea of taking to the pitch for this honourable cause fills us with joy and pride. I have played football for a lifetime against great champions, but this challenge is more important than the others” said Franco Baresi, Captain of Milan Glorie. “Meeting the Real Veteranos greatly excites me, both for the greatness of our Spanish friends, who we thank for having agreed to join the initiative with such enthusiasm, as well for the goal that this initiative has got. We are proud to be able to help our friend Stefano and all the sufferers of ASL".
Until the 8 September it is also possible to support the fight against ALS by sending an SMS from TIM cell phones or making a call from Telecom Italia fixed lines to the support number 48562 and donate 2 Euro.
Tickets for the event are being sold at Intesa Sanpaolo Group branches: 30 Euro for the First Red Central Ring and 10 Euro for the other areas of the stadium. Entry is free for under twelve’s. Further information is available at acmilan.com.
The San Siro stadium opens its doors from 6.30 pm. The match will follow a friendly game between the Berretti and Primavera Milan Youth teams. The entire evening will be aired live on Sky Sport Italia.
Event Partners: Audi, adidas, atahotels, bwin, Sky Sport, Il Giornale, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Virgilio and Radio Italia.