Siena to host Romania friendly

Siena’s Stadio Artemio Franchi will host the February 7 friendly between Italy and Romania.

Officials from both nations visited the arena this week to check out the facilities and this evening the FIGC announced it had been chosen for the international friendly.

This will be the Azzurri’s first official match of 2007 and gives Roberto Donadoni the opportunity to test out his squad ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier with Scotland.

Italy have never played at Siena’s Stadio Franchi before, so it will be a new entry in their tour of the country.

There will be several familiar faces in the Romanian side, such as Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu and Roma defender Cristian Chivu.

Meanwhile, Italy's next opponents in the Euro 2008 Qualifiers Scotland, have begun their search for a new head coach after Walter Smith resigned to take over at Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers.

The Scots lead Group B ahead of France on the head-to-head rule and are two points clear of the World Champions. They play Georgia at home in their next qualifier on March 24 before they visit the Azzurri four days later.