Milan: Football City

The match, featuring the winners of the semi-finals, will see on the pitch two between Italy, Spain, Belgium and France. The city is obviously rooting for Italy to win it all.

While Milan, due to its global outreach, economic importance and favourable position, has significant experience hosting world-relevant events, such as major international congresses and conventions, it also has a very proud tradition when it comes to sport events – particularly in football. The city is now preparing for the UEFA Nations League Final, planning for the event much as it is doing for World Routes. In different ways, these two milestones will mark a new beginning for Milan and its image abroad after Covid-19, based on two of Milan’s most solid assets: worldwide connections and…football.

It would be an understatement to say that this is a football city. While people who do not care about football actually exist, they tend to be few and far between: most of the others will know about Milan, wherever they may happen to live. That is because of the long and hallowed football history the city has, which led to its world famous San Siro Stadium being referred to as football’s La Scala. Four champions League Finals were held in San Siro, along with two World Cups, one European Cup and countless international and national matches of great significance.

Of course, it all starts with the two mighty teams, A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, who have been facing each other on San Siro’s pitch for decades. Most people in Milan will be either milanista or interista, two definitions that imply much more than simple fandom. It is really two different worldviews, with loads of irony and wit unleashed against the other side, adding up to some of the funniest bantering and teasing you will hear in Italy. On derby day, the whole city comes to a standstill.

Such passion is well grounded: the two teams have been European powerhouses: red-and-black A.C. Milan won 7 Champions Leagues, while black-and-blue Inter Milan won 3, which gives Milan the prized distinction of being the only city to win The Cup with two different teams. Both won countless other trophies and fielded some of the greatest players in the sport’s history. World Soccer magazine once defined A.C. Milan’s 1989-90 as the best club side of all time, but some Inter Milan sides are not far behind, such as the one that won the Champions League, the Italian League and the Italian League Cup – the celebrated Triplete - in 2010.

Anyone visiting the city can get a taste of this atmosphere by visiting the San Siro Museum, which displays revered uniforms and memorabilia, while allowing for a privileged view of the pitch and a tour of the locker rooms. It is one of the city’s most visited attractions and deservedly so. While one may have come to Milan for very different reasons, dedicating some time to its football lore can certainly be a rewarding experience for all those who share at least a passing interest in the most popular team sport in the world. One more reason to do so is that, quite possibly, San Siro will not be there forever, as a heated debate on the opportunity of building a brand new and more modern stadium is in full swing. 

Picture: San Siro Stadium, credits Comune di Milano