The small stadium with its thunderous acoustics, where Dzeko and his teammates will host the Azzurri on Tuesday, is serving a FIFA suspension due to fan misconduct during the match against Romania: approximately 8,800 spectators will be in attendance
A small stadium with incredibly powerful acoustics and the ability to intimidate practically anyone. The Bilino Polje in Zenica, which will host Italy’s playoff final on Tuesday evening, is a true den for the Bosnians, who here—even more so than at the better-known stadium in Sarajevo (larger but with an athletic track, which is currently under renovation)—know how to make their “passion” felt. And, it seems, even more than that.
We’re talking about a 13,632-seat stadium, “intimate” just the way Gattuso likes it (he reiterated again last night how happy he was with the choice of the Bergamo stadium, partly because it’s small), but this time packed with our opponents who, FIFA sanctions in hand, aren’t exactly saints. On November 15, in the match against Romania, they caused all sorts of trouble, and FIFA fined them: 60,000 Swiss francs for “misconduct by the team, discrimination, racism, use of pyrotechnics, disruption during the national anthems, and lack of order and discipline inside and outside the stadium.” But also a match at Bilino Poljea with capacity reduced by 20%.
the sanction— The match in question is precisely the one against Italy. After the match against Romania—needless to say, won 3-1—Dzeko and his teammates played first in Austria and then in Wales. The next match, the one in which the FIFA sanction must be served, is none other than the World Cup final. Given the spaces that must be kept clear for security reasons, the number of available seats on Tuesday drops to 8,800.
the visitors’ section— For Italy, this can only be good news. The guest section remains unchanged, though it is extremely limited. How many Italians will be there? Between guests and tickets allocated to the FIGC, the total will be around 800. Few in number, but determined to pull off a feat among fans who, amid one controversy after another, seem eager to face us.
