[Tennie]

(from acmilan.com)

MILANO - ACF Fiorentina e AC Milan si affronteranno mercoledì 8 ottobre allo stadio "Franchi" di Firenze in una gara di beneficenza per Stefano Borgonovo. L’ex giocatore viola e rossonero attraversa infatti un difficilissimo momento per la malattia che da alcuni anni lo affligge, la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica (SLA). In campo ci saranno i calciatori del Milan e della Fiorentina non convocati in Nazionale e anche ex compagni di squadra di Stefano Borgonovo.
Fiorentina e Milan invitano tutti i tifosi ad assistere numerosi all’incontro. Il ricavato della partita verrà infatti devoluto in beneficenza per finanziare le ricerche sul morbo di Lou Gehrig.

[On Wednesday October 8 at the Franchi in Florence, ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan will play a charity friendly for Stefano Borgonovo. The former Milan and Fiorentina player is suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease; Arterial Lateral Sclerosis). Playing in the game will be players not called up for their respective national sides along with some former teammates of Borgonovo. Fiorentina and Milan invite all fans to come to the game. Gate receipts from the game will be donated to finance research for a cure to the disease.]

Borgonovo was interviewed by Sky a couple of days ago and it sent shockwaves through Italy. I vaguely remember the guy from the late 80s at Milan. He was a good striker but now he's confined to a bed and in really bad shape. His interview was a plea for more research into the disease to be done.

Here's Channel 4's explanation of the whole thing:

Milan and Fiorentina will contest a testimonial friendly for Stefano Borgonovo, an ill player who played for both clubs.

Borgonovo is suffering from motor neurone disease - the same illness that killed Genoa hero Gianluca Signorini in 2002.

The 44-year-old former striker enjoyed the most successful season on his career on loan from Milan to Fiorentina in 1988-89 when he scored 14 goals playing alongside Roberto Baggio.

The Milan native spent the 1989-90 campaign behind Marco Van Basten in the pecking order, but he picked up a European Cup winner's medal.

After retiring in 1996, Borgonovo began coaching at Como but had to retire three years ago as his illness took hold of him.

The fixture between Milan and Fiorentina will be played on October 8 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

[vahid]

FIORENTINA-MILAN: THE CALLED UP PLAYERS

MILAN - Here is the official list of the called up players for tonight's friendly in Florence: Goalkeepers: Dida Kalac; Defenders: Maldini, Albertazzi Pasini Antonini Darmian; Midfielders: Emerson, Ambrosini, Cardacio, Gianola; Strikers: Ronaldinho, Viudez, Seedorf, Angelilli