Anthony Modeste (l.) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (r.) are just two of the stars who could be in action when Cologne welcome AC Milan for an Innovation Game. - © Getty Images

bundesliga

Cologne to host AC Milan in Innovation Game friendly

31.05.2022

Cologne will welcome Italian champions AC Milan to the RheinEnergieStadion in July for an "innovation game" which will take place as part of the Telekom Cup pre-season tournament.

Numerous new technologies will be on display when Cologne and Milan go head-to-head on 16 July, with the tournament part of the Billy Goats' technology partnership with Deutsche Telekom.

Fans will be able to experience the game from new perspectives, for example through the eyes of a player with a number of the Cologne players using special bodycams. Automated highlights and exciting data feeds are also on offer.

There will also be an improved stadium experience, with a strategic crowd management system which will inform fans which kiosk or toilet has the shortest queue.

"Since my first day at Cologne I've been pleasantly surprised by the multitude of innovative ideas and technological initiatives for an emotional stadium experience," said the club's managing director, Philipp Türoff.

"With our partner Telekom Germany, our activities have once again received a tailwind and will be put in the limelight around this game. Telekom Germany, Cologne and numerous startups want to show what will be possible in football of the future."

Anthony Modeste scored 20 goals as Cologne finished seventh in the Bundesliga this season to qualify for the play-off round of next year's UEFA Europa Conference League, the Billy Goats missing out on the UEFA Europe League group stages by just three points.

Milan won the Serie A title for the first time since 2011, finishing four points clear of city rivals Inter. Zlatan Ibrahimovic contributed eight goals to that success, but may miss the Cologne game after undergoing knee surgery.