The Internazionale Experience

A few hours after we were confirmed as relegated (though i didn't know til Monday), I was at the San Siro in Milan watching Inter v Napoli.

My gf had seen tickets through the Telegraph online for the game and we thought we'd give it a whirl. After a bit of digging though I found that neither Milan nor Inter get anywhere near selling out apart from the derby so we thought we'd get to Milan and get tickets on the day.

We got to the ground (free buses from the nearest underground stop about 20 mins walk away) and queued for a ticket (bless the italians for ensuring chaos reins in most things they do!) for about an hour with passport in hand to prove we werent Napoli fans. 28Euros each which we both felt was very cheap. Claire is a Arsenal season ticket holder and tickets are commonly over £60 (if you can even get them) and season tickets are about £1,000.

We were towards the corner behind one goal in the 2nd tier (higher than the East Stand top tier by a distance and insanely steep) but had an amazing view. The whole third tier was closed apart from behind one goal which was partitioned with plastic which held Napoli fans.

The ground is iconic (though fraying round the edges, and with it being so huge, it's no surprise its now looking a little unloved after 30 years or so) and when full I can't even get my head around what it must be like. If anyone ever gets the chance to get tickets for a Milan Derby, go. It must be incredible.

There were just under 50,000 (80,000 capacity) there for a 3rd vs 5th clash.

What stood out though was the build up. Inter fans are incredibly passionate and vocal (helped by incredible acoustics) and what sent a tingle down the spine was the part they played. They must orchestrate what they are going to do on a match day. Banners, flags, political statements, taunts at opposition, light shows and flares and the centre piece of a huge banner that looked like a book. Sadly i've no idea what it said (being in italian) but some words seemed to mention passion and death.

On the huge screens above were legends of the past, black and white images of players long gone, glories long gone. But all part of the history and foundations of what is Inter Milan today.

Cheers echoed at the sight of favourites. And some form of anthem belted out that every fan sung to. It was borderline beautiful and I felt ashamed of the English game as i watched this passionate spectacle before a spectacle.

The team was then named and each players first name was called out as the Inter fans shouted the surname.

I'm not doing it justice with my words, I know, but it was a scene i'll always remember. A game that in reality meant little with Juventus and Roma well clear and Napoli having a big gap over Inter.

The game was good (though 0-0) but a stark contrast to our game. Slow, very slow and deliberate. Incredibly short passes or soft floated passes to chest to allow a player to do their bit on the ball and then onto the next player. Hardly any tackles at all unless around the box. And surprisingly a huge number of long distance shots.

But the real story was the fans. Thats what pulled my heart strings. That in Italy, football is all about the fans. The ends are priced cheaply to get people in and create atmosphere. The upper tier behind the other goal was tribalist and where the noise, light, banners and drum beat came from. The game was the game. But the orchestration and effort from the fans was almost as considered as the managers tactics and strategy.

Ritual

I don't know how, but how could even a slither of that be taken and immersed into Oakwell? Sadly, for whatever reason (and granted our past is nowhere near as glorious as Inter) our past has been distilled and partly forgotten. A day at Oakwell seldom connects with what we have been built on.

The Ponty is never full anymore, it seldom generates more than a whimper. And if that stand could be filled and encouraged to be the leading matchday voice of Barnsley and demonstrate some pride from our fans and try and reconnect with our players (whoever they may be)

We're a proud bunch, too proud for our own good at times, but despite being countries apart, despite being culturally different, despite being much further down the footballing pyramid, we share that distinctive trait with Inter. Yet we fail to display it.

Maybe now we've taken our fall, we could consider how we show pride in the stands of Oakwell and how we help pass history, share legend and preserve memories for the next new generation and allow the baton to be passed successfully.

 

I went to Inter v Juventus last season at the San Siro and it was unbelievable.

There were 77,000 there if I remember correctly, I was in the top tier dead on the half way line and the tickets were only 25€. The game finished 2-1 to Juve but when Inter scored the equaliser, the place went mental, some random italians arm grabbed me and the whole stadium started jumping at the same time singing, ridiculous atmosphere. The dispays you were on about are so organised its unreal. We walked it from the underground station with all the Inter fans as they were singing, waving flags and lighting flares all the way to the San Siro, which is looking a bit dull nowadays, although still impressive.

Agree completely regarding the style of football, but when you're watching Pirlo dictate a game its quite special. Until Esteban Cambiasso karate kicks someone time wasting in the corner 94 minutes in and a brawl starts.

The thing that I didn't like about the San Siro, for the entire top tier the toilets were at either side in the towers, and it was safe to say the gents were nigh on underwater in pi$$. Rather have Oakwell...

 

A very good read that mate, sounds an incredible experience. I had a similar one at Barcelona a few years ago. Ronaldinho, Puyol etc in the lineup against local rivals Espanyol. I was in awe at the stadium and the atmosphere. I couldn't wait to hear the noise when Barca scored. Unfortunately they didn't and it ended 0-0, just like your game. San Siro is one stadium I would love to visit, but it would have to be to watch Milan, AC Milan, my Italian club. One that I would love to visit though is Westfallen Stadium, Dortmund. But under Jurgen Klopp's leadership - it just wouldn't feel the same under anyone else.

 

There is something in this.

But I think you have to have a core of commited and thoughtful fanatics to generate it - backed up by the usual nutcases that we do have a reasonable quantity of who are desparate to sing along and would without a shadow of a doubt join in..

I genuinely think this could be created in English football and in Barnsley in the Ponty end.

How to take it to the tipping point though......how to get momentum without some muppet threatening deck you if you bring that drum here again.

I guess that magic is the thing you just can't bottle....I mean how can Birmingham City get all their fans to shout in unison and incredulous "WHO" when a substitute is made - even when that substitue is Stephen Gerrard - and no one else can.

Really great piece - enjoyed reading it.

I would love you to get the ball rolling in the ponty - but wouldn't have the fogiest idea how.

 

To be fair... there were various things that reminded me of Oakwell... the Inter left/wing back was shocking (Nakamoto?)

Cambiasso ran the show for Inter first half and if they'd had one of their former stellar strikers they'd have won. Having said that, Napoli ran riot down inters left and could have had three tap in's where a bit more composure would have created a goal

Amazing experience.... though Duomo's roof probably trumped it!

Would love even 1% of that passion, pride and expression inside Oakwell and a reconnection with our past.

 

Powerful stuff, i would love to the ponty end full again. Most of all would like to go home with a sore voice at the end of a game, and be loud like we used to be years ago. Win, lose or draw. We all share the same passion for our clubs so why not show it instead of getting on players back and show our support to the club. Its the club we love and not the players so we should all encourage the club to grow and who knows where it could lead.

 

Need to start winning some games first.

 

I want to this same fixture but in 06 by far and away the best game I have ever been too

 

Would actually be a a good idea to test out.


Maybe for one or two games have entry to the Ponty maybe a tenner, making it clear when you buy the ticket they want you singing and creating a cracking atmosphere when in there.






Have to say though, I always lose my voice from singing/shouting etc. after matches so maybe it's just people not wanting to join in.

 

I'd be up for using the fanzine for something like this:

http://www.hawaytheflags.co.uk/home.htm

Crowdsource a flag/flags that can be hung at Oakwell and create some feeling between supporters/club. Design voted for by supporters etc.

 

What about putting instructions on how to do something like this in there!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BaY9WneGaQ

 

Glad you had a good time.

The Nerazzurri and the san siro is close to my heart as is the city of Milan, having been over like 7 times in last 10 years.

Sounds like you were stood on the Curva Nord or at least the corner, with the Interisti?

The song you refer to is Pazza Inter Amala (Crazy Love for Inter)

 

Also the opening line to that song is very apt for us at the minute being Tykes fans

"Just for a goal i would give my whole life"

 

I will not support any show of support that includes a drum.

 

Fair point but wouldn't it be good for everyone to join in and not just a select few

 

Second tier Blu, so facing the banners.

 

Good read that. Glad you enjoyed it.

I was watching the Liverpool - Chelsea game & saw them play City at Anfield a couple of weeks back too & was in awe at the flags & the atmosphere.

I'd love that in the Ponty end at Oakwell. Obviously it wouldn't be the same but flags, scarfs & our own song that the whole crowd joins in like YNWA would be incredible.

It's probably harder to create than ever now though with relegation & smaller crowds

 

Crystal Palace have tried to get something similar going at Selhurst this season and it's worked. Been a couple of times for work and the atmosphere has been absolutely electric - complete stands bedecked in banners with club colours, huge banner of the first team squad unfurled and noise like I've never heard. Google it.

http://www.thickaccent.com/2013/08/...w-before-the-match-against-tottenham-hotspur/

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11031321.Palace_fans_put_on_a_display_to_remember/

http://onthefire.com/tag/crystal-palace-fc/

http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=2645

 

It would be amazing if everyone joined in, would make a right racket.

But the majority of people hardly ever do, for whatever reason.