I finally had the opportunity to go to a Serie A football match in Italy, to see Inter play Catania at Milan’s stadium.
Due to previous incidents (namely a riot on a train between Naples and Rome), my two Australian friends staying with me couldn’t come because of the “state of emergency” declared in Italian soccer – and we’re only at the beginning of the season.
Highly unfair, but anyway, them’s the breaks.
Going to the stadium in Milan is a very interesting experience, and includes some of the fashion styles you would expect.
If you’re a woman don’t wear heels, but make up for it with sparkly accessories.
If you’re a guy, anything goes but a bit of fan support in the form of a scarf or shirt is appreciated.
Kids take flags and wear the shirt of their favourite player.
The stand-out thing, despite the general Milanese reserved character, is the total passion with which the Italians throw themselves into the match.
The north stand, which is Inter’s stand mostly for fan club members, was adorned with banners and balloons (which they don’t release into the sky, but pop instead).
From it emanated constant noise, whistling, calling and singing during the entire match.
Have you ever seen 5,000 people jump up and down all together while chanting insults to other teams (present or not)? I have and it’s an impressive sight.
The game had its usual controversy with one Inter playing getting sent off after a bad referee decision, the result of which meant that anytime the opposing playing went near the ball, the stadium was deafened with shrill whistles and calls of “scemo! scemo!” (meaning fool, or worse).
The match finished with Inter beating Catania 2-1 despite playing one man down for the whole second half, and we got home without experiencing any riots, flare throwing or brawls.
If you want a lesson in the Italian character and body language, I highly recommend it.