Deadbat
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I have spent the last week in Italy with the family and saw a game whilst I was there. Spent a night in Pisa (where we flew into) and went up the Leaning Tower etc. We then spent most of the trip in Florence. Stayed fairly central. Lovely city with some great sights and genuine history. Scaled more high buildings and had some e lovely strolls around the city and outskirts with some incredible views. We had a day trip to Milan and went up the Cathedral there and also had a tour of the San Siro. It is sizeable and has some impressive elements but for me nowhere near as good as Bernabeu, Stadium of Light (Lisbon), Nou Camp, Emirates, Old Trafford, Wembley and even Millenium Stadium. It looks good from the outside but inside it has two layers missing on the sides but they cannot construct it any more (due to what is outside the ground – bit like Old Trafford with the main stand). My son rocked his Blades shirt but the tour guide had never heard of us! Imagine it is good match day as pitch quite small and stands right on top of the action.
Anyway, I digress the game I actually saw was in Florence; Fiorentina v Napoli. Walked to the ground (fair hike from centre) and had a few beers outside; stood with many of the home fans before going in. The ground itself is poor really. It is a very old ground and 3 sides are open to the elements but think it is listed and cannot be altered much. Holds around 48,000; there were maybe around 35-40,000 in. Napoli brought quite a big following (Italian sides not known to travel much for away games – actually that is the case in many countries in Europe) and they were all squashed into a corner with protective glass on both sides and a lot of police. I saw on the side stand but nearest home ‘Kop.’ Had a beer inside the ground and took it to my seat (unheard of in UK!)
The Viola ultras made themselves heard and were packed in and extremely loud. Despite the seats they all stood for the whole game. When the teams came out, they were numerous fireworks, smoke bombs and flares going off. It was quite a sight. Video attached hopefully.
Interesting everyone is searched when they go in and have to produce ID and ticket but these ‘ultras’ basically take in what they want and the police kind of turn a blind eye to it.
Napoli are managed by Benitez and had Higuain up front with former Liverpool keeper Reina in goal and a few other stand out players who have been impressing in Serie A the last few seasons such as Pandev, Behrami and Hamsik. Whilst Fiorentina’s main man Giuseppe Rossi is quite prolific in Serie A. Their big summer signing Mario Gomez from Germany is out injured I believe. The home side had a few ‘showy’ players in Vajero (ex West Brom I believe – Spaniard who had all sorts of tricks) in centre of midfield and Cuadrado (Colombian-very fast but prone to hit the deck) and Joaquin (another Spaniard) on the wing. They had former Man City player Savic at the back and ex Liverpool player Aquillani. They also had the delightfully named Neto in the net!
Anyway in short Napoli won 2-1. It was a good game with an action packed first half and was quite open at times. It slowed down at times and often the fans preferred a piece of skill or a flick to anything constructive. Technically it was decent but at times when in the last third defences packed in attacking players run out of ideas. They get easily frustrated with aimless balls and demand it to be passed but often this side to side stuff goes nowhere (Weir!).
As for the game and the goals, the visitors scored a lovely worked goal scored by Callejon which was equalised by a Rossi penalty (very dubious).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTXqPijDzNo
After this the home side hit the post but almost immediately Mertens scored a wonderful goal for Napoli after a series of one-twos. Second half it was one way traffic but Reina made a few saves. There were two red cards, one for Napoli and one for Fiorentina as Cuadrado was sent off for getting 2 yellow cards for diving! Indeed I am sure there were at least 4 yellows for simulation. The home fans were going ballistic but the ref was right with most decisions (apart from an innocuous penalty he gave to the Viola). They really put pressure on the ref all game and were quite hostile to the visitors with boos and whistles every time they got it. Callejon got particular abuse (former player I believe) and when he scored he got a right earful before many fans ran down almost onto the pitch to vent their feelings.
Some of the chants are identical to the English ones (Sure they sang the fat Spanish waiter one in Italian to Benitez – it was the same tune and many were pointing at him). Sure they also sang the ‘Sheffield Weds f****d it up’ when a score involving the struggling Milan came up on the scoreboard! They had a variety of tunes and the home fans were very supportive. Yes, they got frustrated at times but for the most part they got behind their side and most of the noise was at the opponents or towards the officials. They did have a Doyle type scapegoat (the right back!) but even at the end they stayed and sang and were singing as they left the ground; despite the loss! Maybe our home fans could learn something (mind you they aren’t in the third tier - although were right down there recently when were demoted after being declared bankrupt- have worked back up the leagues). Incidentally Fiorentina won 2-0 at Milan (who were booed off with calls for manager to be sacked!) on Saturday and went up to 4th. If I had timed our trips better I may have stayed on for that game. Roma are top still and have won all 10 games. Napoli won again and are right behind them. Both Milan teams nowhere near the top.
The atmosphere was far better than I thought at the game with a sizeable away travelling and proper home end that was partisan to say the least. I expected it to be dull as crowds have really dropped in Italy with England and Germany now the biggest and most atmospheric crowds/stadiums. I have been to games around Europe and in Spain (Barca a few times) and Italy before (comparison was Roma a few years ago who had their own passionate home fans but nowhere near numbers or noise/colour of the Viola). It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it. It was around £45 for the ticket and I bought it from a ticket kiosk near the centre (Republicca square just down from the Cathedral) on the day of the game. Think it is cheaper if you get in advance but I was not very organised!
After the game I had a few more beers. Ended up speaking to quite a few American students –who were at the game (quite a few of the big US colleges have bases here) and educating them on the beautiful game – many had been for the first time. Suffice to say most I told most to adopt Sheffield United as their British team. Weird to then stroll away from the ground and be within Florence cathedral within a short while (bit nicer building than the Mosque near the Lane!)
Hope that was not too boring (sorry reads a bit; here is what I did on my hols!) and of interest to some of you! Certainly was probably preferable to going to the Greenhous Meadow.
Anyway, I digress the game I actually saw was in Florence; Fiorentina v Napoli. Walked to the ground (fair hike from centre) and had a few beers outside; stood with many of the home fans before going in. The ground itself is poor really. It is a very old ground and 3 sides are open to the elements but think it is listed and cannot be altered much. Holds around 48,000; there were maybe around 35-40,000 in. Napoli brought quite a big following (Italian sides not known to travel much for away games – actually that is the case in many countries in Europe) and they were all squashed into a corner with protective glass on both sides and a lot of police. I saw on the side stand but nearest home ‘Kop.’ Had a beer inside the ground and took it to my seat (unheard of in UK!)
The Viola ultras made themselves heard and were packed in and extremely loud. Despite the seats they all stood for the whole game. When the teams came out, they were numerous fireworks, smoke bombs and flares going off. It was quite a sight. Video attached hopefully.
Interesting everyone is searched when they go in and have to produce ID and ticket but these ‘ultras’ basically take in what they want and the police kind of turn a blind eye to it.
Napoli are managed by Benitez and had Higuain up front with former Liverpool keeper Reina in goal and a few other stand out players who have been impressing in Serie A the last few seasons such as Pandev, Behrami and Hamsik. Whilst Fiorentina’s main man Giuseppe Rossi is quite prolific in Serie A. Their big summer signing Mario Gomez from Germany is out injured I believe. The home side had a few ‘showy’ players in Vajero (ex West Brom I believe – Spaniard who had all sorts of tricks) in centre of midfield and Cuadrado (Colombian-very fast but prone to hit the deck) and Joaquin (another Spaniard) on the wing. They had former Man City player Savic at the back and ex Liverpool player Aquillani. They also had the delightfully named Neto in the net!
Anyway in short Napoli won 2-1. It was a good game with an action packed first half and was quite open at times. It slowed down at times and often the fans preferred a piece of skill or a flick to anything constructive. Technically it was decent but at times when in the last third defences packed in attacking players run out of ideas. They get easily frustrated with aimless balls and demand it to be passed but often this side to side stuff goes nowhere (Weir!).
As for the game and the goals, the visitors scored a lovely worked goal scored by Callejon which was equalised by a Rossi penalty (very dubious).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTXqPijDzNo
After this the home side hit the post but almost immediately Mertens scored a wonderful goal for Napoli after a series of one-twos. Second half it was one way traffic but Reina made a few saves. There were two red cards, one for Napoli and one for Fiorentina as Cuadrado was sent off for getting 2 yellow cards for diving! Indeed I am sure there were at least 4 yellows for simulation. The home fans were going ballistic but the ref was right with most decisions (apart from an innocuous penalty he gave to the Viola). They really put pressure on the ref all game and were quite hostile to the visitors with boos and whistles every time they got it. Callejon got particular abuse (former player I believe) and when he scored he got a right earful before many fans ran down almost onto the pitch to vent their feelings.
Some of the chants are identical to the English ones (Sure they sang the fat Spanish waiter one in Italian to Benitez – it was the same tune and many were pointing at him). Sure they also sang the ‘Sheffield Weds f****d it up’ when a score involving the struggling Milan came up on the scoreboard! They had a variety of tunes and the home fans were very supportive. Yes, they got frustrated at times but for the most part they got behind their side and most of the noise was at the opponents or towards the officials. They did have a Doyle type scapegoat (the right back!) but even at the end they stayed and sang and were singing as they left the ground; despite the loss! Maybe our home fans could learn something (mind you they aren’t in the third tier - although were right down there recently when were demoted after being declared bankrupt- have worked back up the leagues). Incidentally Fiorentina won 2-0 at Milan (who were booed off with calls for manager to be sacked!) on Saturday and went up to 4th. If I had timed our trips better I may have stayed on for that game. Roma are top still and have won all 10 games. Napoli won again and are right behind them. Both Milan teams nowhere near the top.
The atmosphere was far better than I thought at the game with a sizeable away travelling and proper home end that was partisan to say the least. I expected it to be dull as crowds have really dropped in Italy with England and Germany now the biggest and most atmospheric crowds/stadiums. I have been to games around Europe and in Spain (Barca a few times) and Italy before (comparison was Roma a few years ago who had their own passionate home fans but nowhere near numbers or noise/colour of the Viola). It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it. It was around £45 for the ticket and I bought it from a ticket kiosk near the centre (Republicca square just down from the Cathedral) on the day of the game. Think it is cheaper if you get in advance but I was not very organised!
After the game I had a few more beers. Ended up speaking to quite a few American students –who were at the game (quite a few of the big US colleges have bases here) and educating them on the beautiful game – many had been for the first time. Suffice to say most I told most to adopt Sheffield United as their British team. Weird to then stroll away from the ground and be within Florence cathedral within a short while (bit nicer building than the Mosque near the Lane!)
Hope that was not too boring (sorry reads a bit; here is what I did on my hols!) and of interest to some of you! Certainly was probably preferable to going to the Greenhous Meadow.
, I made her trek all the way from our hotel on the Ponte Veccio on a non-matchday just to have a look around. As you'll concur, it's not much to look at, especially just from the outside.
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