Featured image credit: Nathan Hurst on Unsplash
AS Roma and AC Milan will face off in an end-of-season friendly match at Perth’s Optus Stadium on May 31, marking the first time that two Serie A clubs have played against each other in Australia.
Roma played eight friendly matches in Australia in 1966, and played against Real Madrid and Manchester City in Melbourne in 2015. The club will host an open training session ahead of the match against AC Milan at Optus Stadium.
AC Milan last visited Australia in 1993, when the club played two friendly matches against the Australian national team in Sydney and Melbourne.
The match will coincide with Western Australia Day celebrations on June 3 and the Italian Republic Day on June 2, with activations and community events to be held across the long weekend.
Lina Souloukou, chief executive and general manager of Roma, said: “We are aware that we enjoy a huge following in Oceania and look forward to being able to give Australian fans the opportunity to see our champions up close.
“This friendly match confirms the prominent position that our club occupies permanently in the European and world football scene and the strong interest it is able to attract at all latitudes.”
AC Milan chief executive Giorgio Furlani added: “The opportunity to return to Australia is extremely exciting for us. We are proud to have been chosen together with AS Roma and grateful to the Government of Western Australia for the invitation.
“Our presence in the country demonstrates the commitment to our international fan base and the desire to remain closer to our supporters around the world, promoting a deep bond and a sense of belonging within the Rossoneri family.”
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