Al Bano to sing anthem ahead of Coppa Italia Final

Veteran singer Al Bano will sing the Italian national anthem ahead of the Coppa Italia Final between Atalanta and Juventus.

The game kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

As per tradition, a singer is called on to perform the national anthem – L’Inno di Mameli – before kick-off.

The Lega Serie A announced that the artist chosen for 2024 is Al Bano, who will turn 81 just five days after his performance.

Al Bano is known all over the world, having 26 gold discs and 8 platinum selling discs, with over 165 million albums.

Coppa Italia anthem tradition

He is perhaps more famous to an international audience than some of the other choices to sing the anthem ahead of the Coppa Italia Final in recent years, who included Emma, Arisa, Malika Ayane, Noemi, Lorenzo Licitra, Annalisa and Gaia.

Al Bano started his career in the mid-1960s and made several films as well as records, often with his ex-wife, Romina Power.