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John Terry and Roberto Di Matteo announce Chelsea vs Bayern Munich legends game in tribute to Gianluca Vialli
Chelsea icons Roberto Di Matteo and John Terry have revealed plans for a legends game against Bayern Munich, commemorating late Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli.
Di Matteo and Terry made the announcement on the pitch before Chelsea’s home fixture against Aston Villa, as reported by Nizaar Kinsella.
Vialli tragically passed away earlier this year following an ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer.
The legendary Italian played 87 times for the club, before taking the managerial reigns from 1998-2000, winning the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup as well as an FA Cup along the way.
And both Terry and Di Matteo were delighted to announce the touching tribute to their former teammate and manager in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Di Matteo and Terry played with and under the Italian respectively during their time spells in west London.
With the former scoring the opener in an FA Cup Final win after just 42 seconds, to lift the trophy alongside his compatriot Vialli in 1997.
Terry captained the Blues for 12 seasons and lifted the Premier League title five times, a joint record for any captain in the league’s history.
Di Matteo also took charge of the Blues in 2012, becoming largely responsible for an FA Cup win, as well as Chelsea lifting their first ever Champions League trophy, a side Terry triumphantly captained despite not playing in the final.
And how fitting for this special occasion to be played against Bayern Munich, the team Chelsea beat in that historic final.
The English centre back was suspended that day, and will be hoping he can play a role in the game, reportedly scheduled for September.
Further details of players and dates involved are yet to be confirmed by the club, but one things for sure is that all those connected to Chelsea will be keen to pay their respects to a man who can only be described as a club icon.