There is a rather incontrovertible fact: in recent years the Derby della Capitale has once again become a “hot” and interesting event in the national cycling scene. Its worst years (if we talk about cheering, choreography and shows in the stands), those immediately after the repressive cleaver of post-Raciti, seem to have passed and although it is almost impossible to completely revive the glories of the nineties/early 2000s (even if only for a mere discussion of social changes), is perhaps the only derby that manages to keep various elements active: passion, turbulence, healthy malice, roughness and politically incorrect. I don’t want any of it, let’s be clear. Perhaps the only stracittadina that can be compared in the slightest is the Genoese one, where however – due to the different social context and also the different size of the city – perhaps the “badness” is sometimes a little less (which does not mean that it is Love). We could start from the last act of this first Sunday in March: Gianluca Mancini, scorer of the decisive 1-0 goal for Roma, running under the Curva Sud with the flag depicting a rat on the white and blue pitch. A gesture that cannot be reconciled with the times and above all contemporary Serie A, focused on the hypocritical sermon of bon-ton and respect for the opponent. A gesture which, however, fully represents the eternal Roma/Lazio rivalry. And this, obviously, I say regardless of the support. It was no coincidence that when Di Canio, in 2004, wanted to repeat his 1989 celebration under the Curva Sud – as much as I may have “gnawed” as a fan – as a lover of a certain type of football, of a certain type of support and, above all , as someone who grew up with certain aspects of the derby, I understood and appreciated it. It served to rekindle the rivalry, to ignite the dispute even more. To forge the teasing. Gestures outside the ceremonial and pre-set script are then welcome. Disrespectful celebrations and waving flags are welcome. The only ones who are scandalized, paradoxically, are those who comment on these things remotely or in the comfortable heated station. The fans, especially the Roman ones, not only don’t care, but basically… like it! Also because they are ways to think of new “revenge” and make these four chickens who want to transform a sport like football into an opening ceremony of the Debutantes’ Ball in Vienna scream even more angrily!
Two examples that obviously apply to all the other similar situations that occurred around this match. The only thing I can reproach Mancini for is having subsequently apologized: even though I can imagine the pressure he had due to the respectability mentioned above, it would have been better to refuse and go his own way. Those who see these dynamics from the outside may not understand them, but for those who experience Rome/Lazio every day, however, it is not only very normal, but also stimulating. Today to me, tomorrow to you. In other places the chants are modified if they are too offensive, the players are invited to apologize to the players across the street and, in general, they try to follow a non-belligerent line for years. Rome is different. Rome is still a tribal city under this point of view. Roma are losers on the pitch but true in the stands. And this is the point in his favor. The aspect that makes it stand out. Those who experience this small town have the fortune (or misfortune) of experiencing all the flavors and moods on a daily basis, which inevitably – at least for a day – seems to make you totally abstract from the rest of national football, especially that of the big or from that promulgated and promoted by fine institutional scribblers. The same ones who perhaps make morals for a banner, for a celebration, only to later be sucked into some investigation or some scandal. I know, you can imagine, that the Capital Derby bothers the football masters of this country. Do you want to put? There are no perfect, harmonious and aphrodisiac football geometries of the Milan derby, nor the television spectacle of the London ones. Games often end with narrow scores, net of ninety ugly and unsightly minutes. Not spendable at i nerd that count statistics to be published on some fantasy football site. On the contrary, to be honest, since Covid the two teams on the pitch seem to have increased the level of acrimony and now outbreaks of brawls, cards, and very little football are seen. Then there are those vulgar fans ready to insult each other, make banners and, from time to time, use some smoke bombs. It’s likely that the masters of steam just want to see the end of it. The conclusion of this rude display of mediocrity, this insult to “people’s football” (cit.). I limit myself to saying: if we have to be a provincial city in everyday life (and unfortunately we are), then we might as well continue to be so in football, where this discriminating factor makes us different and far from certain logics. But above all minimally true and not reduced to a television product or useful for social media to make visualizations with ad hoc sets and choirs!
Coming to the derby in question: with kick-off set for 6pm on Saturday, the mobility plan starts early, ending up – obviously – paralyzing a good part of the area surrounding the stadium. I’m always happy to evade a ban or a stupid requirement, let alone if it is imposed on me by someone who doesn’t know the streets of Rome at all. Arriving atOlympic by bike, for the first time in many years I am “theoretically” prevented from accessing the Lungotevere and then putting the bicycle down in the usual place. It’s a shame that I take that road hundreds of times a year for pure pleasure and so it’s enough for me to take a part of the cycle path that runs along the Tiber quay and then go back to the surface where the police blockade is now well away. I always have compassion for those who organize mobility in Rome on these occasions: on the one hand they push for someone to leave the car, use public transport or bicycle. On the other they do everything they can to make someone just give up on leaving the house so as not to be subjected to idiotic and bizarre choices. However, fortunately we are in Italy: the law has been made, the deception has been found! Having emerged from this impasse, therefore, I can finally head towards the entrances, where the influx, I must say, flows quickly and, with just under an hour to go until kick-off, I am in the stands.
The first choruses begin to fly from side to side, with the two curves who in the meantime are working to exhibit their respective choreographies. Unfortunately, what could already be an incandescent atmosphere is slightly dampened by the usual croaking screams of the speaker and the music sprayed from the speakers. On several occasions, the South and the North try to exchange invectives, but when in the background there are the shouts of Achille Lauro, Annalisa, Blanco and similar filthiness, the task is very difficult. Luckily close to the kick-off the attention is captured by the scenography, which slowly take shape. The first to go down is the white and blue one, with the cards that make up the writing across the entire sector W Lazio, a tarpaulin depicting a vintage player in the center and dozens of ironic banners, biting towards cousins and belonging to the lower part. In reality the latter seems to recall one of the most famous and successful sets of the Irreducible, that of the 1992/1993 derby, with the entire curve laden with two auctions. In my opinion, a good show, both for the historical reference and for the realization itself. Appreciating simple and not too elaborate things, I can only have a good opinion of them. On the Roma side, however, we wait a few minutes to allow the display of a banner which suggests that someone in the South already knew what the North had organised. Then thousands of cards rise between Curva and Distinti, forming the Lupa Capitolina on one side and the acronym ASR on the other. All completed by the central banner You are my only wife, you are my only love. Without a doubt one of the best sets created by the Giallorossi in the last fifteen years. In addition to being yet another important message towards the club regarding the coat of arms and, above all, the acronym, which continues to not be constantly present on the gaming outfits. Although today, a bit like what happened in the return derby two years ago, the club has decided to wear a shirt created only for the derby (and announced via social media by Marco Delvecchio, historic derby man) in which the aforementioned acronym is regularly present under the Lupa. Personal observation: nice, but not enough. The tradition must return for all thirty-eight championship matches on the Roma uniform. Also worthy of mention is the choreography created in the Tiber, where the figure of Agostino Di Bartolomei takes shape – whose birthday would have been two days later – in the famous pose in which he is intent on kicking. He poses for the occasion in a mirrored way – in fact he appears to kick with his left foot, while the historic Captain was right-footed – to launch the shot towards the North.
The match begins and the two sets of fans begin a singing match. Compared to the Cup derby played in January, there is undoubtedly less display of pyrotechnics but considering the episodes that occurred live nationally, this was quite obvious. However, there is no shortage of colour, flags and songs that the Roma and Lazio choir throwers try to spread across all sectors. In the first half the support was almost equal, while in the second half, with Roma slowly moving towards success, the North dropped significantly. However, the setting remains very respectable and the small scenes between normal people placed near the dividers, the numerous banners on one side and the other and the vitality with which the two sets of fans meet each other, highlights what was said in the initial phase: the Roman derby is alive and vegeta, recovering from the past and finally once again “grumpy” and incorrect on and off the pitch. As mentioned, it ends with the victory of Roma and the celebration under the South for a success that had been missing for two years in this challenge. Opposite climate on the Lazio front, where the team is contested – obviously not only for the defeat, but for the terrible series of results from which it has just returned – and invited to sweat its shirt. While the Roman fans return home with conflicting moods and thoughts, the derby mud machine has already started and is moving its steps diligently. Perhaps I am too orthodox and I certainly think in an inflexible and not at all politically correct manner… but really the day someone, on both sides, will have problems expressing their feelings – even in a rude way – on the occasion of this match perhaps the time has come to stop coming here. Football without strong feelings, without anger and without illogical and sudden joy, what would it be? Who would still have an interest in following him irrationally? Fortunately, the attempt to educate the Roman fans has so far failed. Maybe those who want can try again. Hoping he’s no luckier!
Simone Meloni
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2024-04-17 17:21:27
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