ESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and Shaka Hislop square off in predicting the most notable matches to kick-start the 2018/19 Serie A campaign.
Sampdoria's clash with Fiorentina as well as Genoa's visit to AC Milan scheduled for Sunday have both been put off following the collapse of the Morandi bridge, which left at least 39 people dead.
However, despite Saturday, Aug. 18, being declared an official day of mourning across Italy with several funerals due to take place, it appears all of the other matches will go ahead -- with a minute's silence beforehand and players wearing black armbands.
"The President of the Lega Serie A, given the requests for postponement of their matches scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 19 at 20.30 [CET] on the part of the clubs Sampdoria and Genoa as result of the tragedy which hit Genoa, and having received the approval of both Fiorentina and Milan, has decided on the postponement of the Sampdoria-Fiorentina and Milan-Genoa matches," a statement confirms.
"The rescheduled dates for the two matches will be announced in the coming days, in compliance with the regulations in force.
"In all the other matches scheduled for the first round of the Serie A TIM, in memory of the victims of Genoa, one minute of silence will be observed before the start and the teams will take to the field with black armbands."
The 2018-19 Serie A season is supposed to kick off with Juventus' visit to Chievo on Saturday at 17.00 -- but Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrera has earlier said he is "sure" all the matches will be postponed, and added that Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has assured him the Bianconeri will not be playing.
"I'm calling the Presidents so we can say we don't have to play," Ferrero confirmed to RMC Sport. "I'm sure that [Lega Serie A President Gaetano] Micciche won't play. I spoke to Marotta and he said Juventus won't play. It's Saturday, you can't play on the day of the funerals.
"Sampdoria and Fiorentina won't play, [Genoa President Enrico] Preziosi won't play so Milan won't either. Regardless of the Lega's decision, Samp, Genoa and Fiorentina will not play and we hope good sense will prevail.
"Micciche is evaluating the situation and I am sure he will welcome my appeal, he is a good man. I can't think of celebrating at a time like this, there are still bodies there under the rubble, I can't think of sending my lads on to the pitch.
"Sport is a culture, a life. Sometimes you have to stop for a moment and reflect. Maybe Sunday could be a message that life goes on, but everyone thinks in his own way. As far as I'm concerned, we shouldn't play."
Source: espn.co.uk