The following story explores neo-radicalism during Italy’s Years of Lead and the era’s impact on contemporary football. The Phoenix of Fascism On 2 August 1980, young Angela Fresu shifted...
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Hellas Verona: The Alternative Guide
Stadium: Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, 1963, capacity 38,402 The StadioMarc’Antonio Bentegodi is one of Italy’s iconic stadiums. Built in 1963, the venue’s only fault is that it may be too...
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A vanished dream: the story behind Paolo Maldini’s bitter Milan farewell
It has become a familiar image in Calcio. The camera pans to the stand and picks out a legend of the club. But they are not there just to...
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Un maiale non può allenare: Carlo Ancelotti’s troubled time at Juventus
It was the final day of the 1999/00 Serie A season and as torrential rain and wind battered the Renato Curi stadium, Carlo Ancelotti and his Juventus side were...
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A culture of violence: How political and social turmoil gave rise to Rome’s radical ultras
No matter how pithy the quote, football should never become a matter of life and death. Nor should it be considered ‘war minus the shooting’, though we are often...
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Tales from the Peninsula: In search of this crazy faith – from Manchester to Verona
Italy was bracing itself for Il Burian, the ferocious Siberian wind that would render the match between Juventus and Atalanta unplayable and would also see snow fall in Rome...
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Exploiting an untapped gem: Could the city of Venice benefit from selling its football?
‘TGU guest writer, Patrick Graham, studied history in Venice for three months, becoming attached to their local team Venezia FC, recently promoted to Serie B. Whilst there, it struck...
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Ultra-turned-footballer: The paradoxical nature of Paolo Di Canio
Tell me your favourite incarnation of Paolo Di Canio and I’ll show you what kind of football fan you are. If it’s first-time-scissored-volley-vs-Wimbledon-Di-Canio, you are probably a purist. If...
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Divided and united: The paradoxical politics of the Rome Derby
Rome is a city of extremes. One where classical ruins and Renaissance palazzos provide a majestic backdrop to the pulsating chaos of urban life. For its people, there are...
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Juventus vs. Napoli: A tale of Italy’s regional divide
Juventus versus Napoli is one of Italian football’s classic rivalries. On the field, it has pitted some of Serie A’s finest players against each other; the goal-scoring genius of...
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