Due to heavy snowfall at their Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Atalanta’s Champions League match against Villarreal has been postponed to Thursday.
The heavy snow began an hour before kickoff, when the pitch coverings were lifted to let the players to warm up.
Staff members then attempted to clear the snow, with some seeming to use leaf blowers, and referee Anthony Taylor delayed kick-off by 20 minutes before deciding the game could not go forward as scheduled. It’s unknown when the match will take place on Thursday.
The match is critical for both teams, with Atalanta trailing Villarreal by a point going into the game.
Manchester United has already qualified for the knockout stages, while Young Boys are in last place with four points, two below Villarreal. If they defeat United and Atalanta lose to Villarreal, the Swiss team has a chance to qualify for the Europa League by finishing third.
When Juventus beat Malmo 1-0 in Turin, there was no snow, but it did fall in Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena for their match versus Barcelona.