Mandorlini: Ronaldinho's presence at Ravenna is wonderful and exciting

Ravenna head coach Andrea Mandorlini said that having the long-awaited Brazilian legend Ronaldinho at the club before his first match is wonderful and exciting. Speaking to Sky Sport, Mandorlini spoke ahead of the Serie C derby against Forlì.

The match will kick off on Sunday at 17:30 CET (16:30 GMT). Ronaldinho is expected to wear the shirt in this game. It will be his first official match since 2015. The 46-year-old former Milan and Barcelona player signed for Ravenna in August and has not been able to train much with his new teammates.

Mandorlini said, "We couldn't get him to train a lot, but what matters most is that he is here with us." The coach recalled that Rafa Márquez, whom he coached at Verona, played alongside Ronaldinho at Barcelona. He reported that Márquez had said Ronaldinho is one of the greatest players of the modern era and one of the greatest talents football has ever seen.

Mandorlini said that Ronaldinho being in the Ravenna colours and in their city is not only nice but wonderful and exciting. Ravenna are fighting to move up in Serie C. There is also strong demand for tickets for Sunday's derby.