Google: Getting in the face of football's 3.5 billion fans

    By Tom McGowan, CNN

    Updated 1740 GMT (0140 HKT) February 27, 2015

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    Italian football club Roma is collaborating with Google for its match against Juventus on Monday. A high-tech initiative hopes to offer fans who can't attend the game a digital match-day experience.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Italian football club Roma is collaborating with Google for its match against Juventus on Monday. A high-tech initiative hopes to offer fans who can't attend the game a digital match-day experience.
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    Fans from around the world will get a glimpse into the club ahead of the game. A live stream will show the team bus' journey to the stadium and drone cameras will provide an aerial view of a packed stadium. It doesn't end there -- "shoeselfies" will offer 360-degree GIFs of the players' boots while an interactive panoramic image will take fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Fans from around the world will get a glimpse into the club ahead of the game. A live stream will show the team bus' journey to the stadium and drone cameras will provide an aerial view of a packed stadium. It doesn't end there -- "shoeselfies" will offer 360-degree GIFs of the players' boots while an interactive panoramic image will take fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.
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    In May 2014, Roma's coach Rudi Garcia wore Google Glass during a friendly match against Orlando.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    In May 2014, Roma's coach Rudi Garcia wore Google Glass during a friendly match against Orlando.
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    Roma's captain Francesco Totti set social media alight in January when he celebrated a goal against Lazio by taking a selfie in front of the famous "Curva Sud."
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Roma's captain Francesco Totti set social media alight in January when he celebrated a goal against Lazio by taking a selfie in front of the famous "Curva Sud."
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    The Curva Sud houses Roma's most colorful and passionate fans. "I've been to many, many sporting events across the world," says Sean Foley, vice president of sport and media at the Raptor Group -- which is headed up by Roma's American owner James Pallotta. "There's nothing I've experienced that's like Roma."
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    The Curva Sud houses Roma's most colorful and passionate fans. "I've been to many, many sporting events across the world," says Sean Foley, vice president of sport and media at the Raptor Group -- which is headed up by Roma's American owner James Pallotta. "There's nothing I've experienced that's like Roma."
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    Roma president James Pallotta is as comfortable talking to Silicon Valley tech wizards as he is football's boardroom leaders.
    Photos: Google: Football through the looking glass?
    Roma president James Pallotta is as comfortable talking to Silicon Valley tech wizards as he is football's boardroom leaders.
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