Italy’s fiercest football rivalries
Football matches between strong rivals ignite passions that transcend the pitch. These matches echo through history and stir the hearts of millions of people. From the iconic Derby della Madonnina to the colourful Genoa derbies and the ferocious battle to be the biggest club from Rome, these matches are more than games. In these Italian football rivalries pride and honour are at stake. Unfortunately, some of these derbies also have a history of violence and deaths.
Derby della Madonnina (AC Milan vs Inter Milan)
The rivalry between AC Milan and Inter Milan is one of the fiercest in Italy and one of the world’s most iconic football matches. Their rivalry, however, mainly stays on the pitch as they usually fight for trophies. In 1983, the two most influential ultras groups of both teams also agreed to stop the violence between the two sides, which definitely helped calm down the tensions.
Derby della Capitale (AS Roma vs Lazio Roma)
There is a famous saying about the Derby della Capitale: ‘’In Milan you talk about the derby for a week, in Rome for a year.’’ The derby between the two clubs from the capital is by far the most heated rivalry in the country and is filled with clashes between both fanbases as they battle for bragging rights. Historically, Lazio is the team of the upper class, whereas AS Roma is a working-class club. The political views of both clubs are also very different. Lazio ultras used to use fascist symbols on their banners and have often shown racist behaviour. The rivalry also had the first-ever fatality in Italian football due to violence in 1979 when a Lazio fan was hit in the eye and killed by a flare fired by a Roma fan in the stadium.
Derby della Laterna (Genoa vs Sampdoria)
The local derby between Genoa and Sampdoria is perhaps one of the most atmospheric football derbies of the year. On the pitch, both clubs from Genoa fight to be the best club in the city. In the stands, the fans try to impress with their flags, banners and songs. John van ‘t Schip who played four seasons for Genoa once said: ‘’Both fan clubs save money for months to make this game a big happening as they try to envy the other fanbase with their flags and banners.’’ The derby is also the favourite of manager Marcello Lippi. ‘’I was lucky to experience some of the biggest derbies, but the one from Genoa is unique. The aggression and hate that you feel at other games is not here, hence why it’s one of the most pleasant derbies to attend. It’s a very special game full of colour and passion.’’ .
