Ronaldinho, 46, set to play for Ravenna in Romagna derby on 15 November

Build-up in Ravenna

Ravenna is preparing for the competitive return of Ronaldinho, who is 46 and will play for a Serie C side that sits second in Group B. The Brazilian World Cup winner and 2005 Ballon d'Or holder has a stake in the Romagna club and joined it in the close season, although there had been doubts about when and whether he would actually play. ANSA reports he has not played a competitive game since a short spell with Fluminense in 2015. Journalists and photographers have requested more than one hundred accreditations, from Italy as well as Brazil, England, China and Saudi Arabia.

Arrival and training

Ronaldinho is now in Italy, after arriving around lunchtime, followed by an individual gym session and a night in Milano Marittima, according to ANSA. Reports disagree on the arrival day, with ANSA placing it on Thursday 12 November and Il Messaggero on Friday 13 November. He is expected to train with his teammates at 11:00 on Saturday 14 November, and the first 15 minutes of that session will be open to the press. Il Messaggero reports he has a suite at a hotel in Milano Marittima booked until Monday 16 November.

Match plans

Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed that the forward will definitely play, and told Sky and a press conference what he expects from him.

“Ronaldinho will come on in the second half.”

Mandorlini added that the player will be free to find his own position up front, as befits a champion of his calibre. One report quotes him saying Ronaldinho would start and play in a front three, which conflicts with the second-half entry described elsewhere, and says the decision on timing remained with the manager. Mandorlini also said he would not give the player advice, and that a footballer of his stature does not need much time to find the right solutions. Most reports list kickoff for Sunday 15 November at 17:30 at the Benelli stadium, although one report gives 15:00.

Broadcast and demand

The Benelli is expected to sell out, and the club has installed a temporary 1,800-seat stand to lift the capacity to 7,000, according to ANSA. Il Messaggero gives different figures, saying capacity rises from 5,000 to more than 6,500 seats and that tickets at 90 euros are still available. ANSA reports that ticket prices have reached as high as 150 euros. Sky Sport will broadcast the match with a Ronaldinho Cam that accompanies him from the warm-up for the duration of the game, along with pre- and post-match coverage from a studio at the ground with Gianluca Di Marzio. Sky Sport Football has announced it will air the match free of charge, and streaming rights have been bought in Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia and Great Britain.

Stakes for Ravenna

Ravenna are second in Group B, six points behind Spezia, and are chasing promotion to Serie B, which makes the derby a crucial fixture for the club, according to ANSA. The sporting director is the son of Mandorlini, while the club's ownership is represented by Ignazio Cipriani, who has said he wants Ravenna back in Serie A and in Europe. Rai reports that Cipriani brought Ronaldinho to the club as part of a large marketing operation. Mandorlini says the players are taking the occasion seriously and that the presence of a player of this stature will draw attention to the whole city.