Serie A clash involving Champions League club DELAYED after torrential rain as 18-word statement released

ATALANTA’S clash against Como has been delayed due to a torrential downpour.

The Serie A clash was set to kick-off at 19:45 – but it will now begin an hour later.

EPAAtalanta vs Como was delayed by an hour due to a storm[/caption]

GettyThe ball struggled to roll in the grass[/caption]

ReutersKick-off was delayed by an hour[/caption]

ReutersFans took shelter at the back of the ground[/caption]

ReutersBut some braved the conditions[/caption]

A statement from league chiefs confirmed: “Atalanta vs Como has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. Another pitch inspection will be carried out shortly.”

The players from both clubs had gone out onto the pitch to warm-up ahead of kick-off.

But the action was compared to “water polo” by one fan watching on.

The referee then carried out an inspection of the pitch by rolling the ball on the surface.

The two captains watched on as the ball struggled to move, getting stuck on the waterlogged grass.

Huge puddles also began to appear in the middle of the pitch.

A second inspection was then carried out 15 minutes later, with the ball supposedly “bouncing well” in some areas of the pitch.

And a decision was made to go ahead with the game to the relief of supporters inside the stadium.

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Atalanta are in this season’s Champions League and drew 0-0 with Arsenal on Thursday last week.

As for Como, they are winless in four games since promotion from the second tier.

They are managed by Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas.