Adidas have unveiled 'Finale Milano', the ball that will be used throughout the Champions League knockout stages and in the final.
The design is inspired by the city of Milan, whose San Siro stadium (officially known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) will be staging this year's final on 28th May. To this effect, images of the stadium's iconic stairs, as well as the famous La Scala opera house, have been incorporated.
Other notable features include the black stars (a reference to the Champions League logo) that have been "thermally bonded" in a panel design, thereby "providing a seamless surface for improved first touch" in UEFA's words. UEFA also claim that "optimal grip" is provided by the "outer coating texture".
The 'Finale Milano' will make its competitive debut on Tuesday evening, in the first of this season's round-of-16 encounters, Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea and Benfica vs Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Source: transfermarketweb.com