Venice (AFP)
The Italian football team went to the city of Venice on Saturday morning flooded by an unusual high tide, after their victory in Bosnia-Herzegovina (3-0) during qualifying for the Euro -2020.
This visit also coincides with the announcement of a partnership agreement between the quadruple world champions and the Venice airport.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Federation President Gabriele Gravina donned knee-high boots and toured iconic St. Mark's Square, still underwater, but reopened to the public on Saturday morning.
This high tide of unusual intensity had reached its highest level in half a century.
"We stand alongside the city of Venice," said "on behalf of the entire team," Donnarumma, the porter of AC Milan.
"Venice is a wounded city but it is strong and wonderful, and it has shown a great character and an extraordinary ability to stand," said Gravina.
The delegation visited several companies damaged by the floods and spoke with Venetians, volunteers and police.
"Venice will overcome this too, like an athlete who suffers a serious injury but will recover," said the head of delegation, Gianluca Vialli.
Some 200 fans followed a training session at a sports center in the Cité des Doges, which was initially scheduled in camera.
The Azzurri will travel to Palermo on Sunday for their last Euro 2020 qualifier against Armenia.
Already qualified for the Euro-2020, Italy's Roberto Mancini intends to complete a clear round in qualifying and clinch a tenth win in ten matches.
For the first time since 1958, Italy did not qualify for the World Cup last year in Russia.
© 2019 AFP