The 46-year-old will line up in Mandorlini’s 4-3-3 formation, although the coach has left open how long he will remain on the pitch. The announcement came during Friday’s press conference, after Mandorlini had indicated earlier in the day that Ronaldinho would feature in the second half.
“He will play from the beginning and we will assess the timing together. Having a player like him here is an important emotion for me as well,” Mandorlini said, as reported by Ravenna e Dintorni.
“He will play in the front three and we will try to adapt to the position he chooses to occupy. Obviously, he is the age he is, but he has never stopped and has played many exhibition matches. A league match is obviously different.”
Mandorlini said he intended to speak with Ronaldinho before the game rather than burden him with detailed instructions.
“I will meet him tonight, we will talk and see. We won’t discuss details and I won’t give him advice, but for a player of his quality it will take very little to find the right tactical solutions.”
The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Milan forward arrived in Italy on Friday, landing at Forlì airport before travelling to Milano Marittima, where he is staying until Monday.
He completed an individual training session after arriving and was scheduled to join his new team-mates for Saturday’s final preparation at the Benelli stadium. That session will be his first with the Ravenna squad before the derby.
Ronaldinho told Sky Sport that he was approaching the occasion as an opportunity to enjoy the experience and share it with the supporters.
“I’m thinking about enjoying a beautiful day, seeing the fans and being part of Ravenna’s beautiful story,” he said.
He also explained why he had agreed to return to the pitch after stepping away from professional football.
“Many years ago, when I stopped playing, it was because I no longer had any motivation. I had won everything. This, instead, is a very different opportunity, born from a long-standing friendship with president Cipriani.”
The connection with Ignazio Cipriani, Ravenna’s president, has been central to the unusual arrangement that has brought the former Ballon d’Or winner back into the squad. Ronaldinho is also part of the club’s ownership group.
His return has attracted attention well beyond the usual audience for a Serie C fixture. The former Brazil international last played a competitive match for Fluminense in 2015, making Sunday’s appearance a remarkable return to the professional game.
Mandorlini, meanwhile, has stressed that the occasion cannot distract Ravenna from the points at stake. The coach described Ronaldinho as one of the greatest players of the modern era, but said his squad remained focused on the derby.
“We have a player in the team who is out of the ordinary, one of the greatest in modern football, and we have the opportunity to touch him and speak to him,” Mandorlini said.
The coach also acknowledged the significance of sharing the pitch with the Brazilian, while insisting the players understood the importance of the match.
Ravenna face a Forlì side that has recently undergone a coaching change following the resignation of manager Campedelli. Mandorlini said he was sorry to see a friend leave his position but would not allow the opposition’s circumstances to alter his team’s preparation.
The derby takes place at the Stadio Bruno Benelli on Sunday, November 15, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 local time. Ronaldinho is set to begin the match, but how long he plays will be decided as the occasion unfolds.