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You are another step closer to seeing one of the most historic and most anticipated match in this year’s calendar which will witness the world’s two top teams go head to head in India’s football home, Kolkata. All India Football Federation (AIFF) has already given the green signal for this historic clash which is supposed to be held on 1st August this year.
Earlier this year, a talk was going around of a possible match between Barcelona and Inter Milan, but due to shortage of time it did not happen.
Juventus are the Serie A champions while the ‘Red devils’ lost the Premier League title to their arch rival, Manchester City in the last match day, on goal difference. So, there is no doubt that the people of football-crazy Kolkata will look forward to please their eyes by seeing a delightful clash between Rooney and Buffon.
It has been a long wait since the talk about this match started to go around. Man Utd officials have already inspected the artificial pitch of Saltlake stadium and they said ‘yes’. Official mails have also been exchanged between the officials of Juventus, Manchester United and the sports ministry of West Bengal. Sports Minister of West Bengal, Mr. Madan Mitra took all the initiatives to make this match happen. At first, it had been decided that without informing AIFF, with the help from organizing group, West Bengal government will carry all the responsibilities. But AIFF told that any international match in the Indian soil needs their approval. Following this, Mr. Madan Mitra personally talked with AIFF officials and they gave the permission to hold this match.
The ticket prices remain unannounced. While the officials said that most of the tickets will be given through online booking, the buzz is going around whether the prices of the tickets will allow common public fans to watch this historic event in the heart of Kolkata.
It is entirely possible that the match may not even take place as, according to the Juventus website, they are scheduled to play Benefica at Geneva on the same day. To bring foreign teams into the country, the ministry needs to give clearance at least 2 months prior to the scheduled date. Therefore, even though the AIFF may have given the green light, it may be too late and the match may not take place after all.
