Analog Italia: Calcio on 35mm

Words: Daan Sonneveld

Images: Daan Soneveld

After some doubt the last minute decision was made to go to Italy, to visit four games in as many days.

Brescia – Sampdoria, Sunday 19:30 - €22

After landing at Bergamo Airport I travelled to Brescia for the game against Sampdoria in the Serie B.

I visited Brescia last year in the Copa Italia against Venezia, which was quite entertaining, despite the fact that it was far from sold out. Only two home stands were opened that day. This evening all home areas were open in Stadio Mario Rigamonti, so I decided to get a ticket on the opposite side of the main stand.

The match wasn’t sold out this time either, so I took the chance to walk around on the stand a bit and enjoyed the Curva Nord of Brescia, which had some nice pyros during the game.

Vocally they were a lot better than the away end, which was quiet – apart from the goal – the whole game.

Unfortunately the match ended in a draw, but the stadium was worth visiting again.

For me it was the first time with this camera shooting in the dark and sometimes it felt like the strikers were shooting in the dark too.

©Daan Sonneveld/ Terrace Edition. Brescia Calcio vs UC Sampdoria.

Monza – Fiorentina, Monday 20:45 - €48

The second match of the trip was Monza against Fiorentina on a Monday evening. With the decent connection from Milan you’re in Monza within 30 minutes.

The stadium was quite a distance, but doable.

With Monza being at the bottom of the table, the loyal fans were already at the stadium having a few beers.

At the classic ticket counter I bought – quite an expensive – ticket for the long stand which had a good view on the away end as the home end, as you can walk across the whole stand.

During the match I took some shots of the iconic concrete blocks as well as the loud home and away end.

To top it off Monza took the important three points which led to some proper emotions in the home end

I really wonder how the stadium will look when it’s packed, so I’m planning a revisit for sure.

©Daan Sonneveld/ Terrace Editon. AC Monza vs ACF Fiorentina.

Como - AC Milan, Tuesday 18:30 - €50

The third match I wanted to visit, but unfortunately couldn’t get my hands on a match ticket in the pre-sale, as it was season-ticket holders only.

I planned on visiting Como despite not having a ticket, and would try to ask some locals.

On the train on my way to Como I got a message from a Como fan, who offered me a ticket for the Curva Como. Third match officially planned.

I joined a German visitor for some pre-match drinks in the pub where the Como fans also gathered. The vibe around the stadium was excellent and as it was sold out the queues in front of the curva were long.

I found a place on top of the stand next to the Como ultras which gave me a good overview of the pitch and the remaining stands.

The away end was also packed, but due to protests unfortunately no banners of the Curva Sud. Despite the protest they were loud and displayed some pyros during the match.

The Curva Como delivered as well, especially when Como took the lead. I enjoyed the songs, the pyros and the game in general, despite the fact Milan took home the win in the end.

The iconic stadium is really one to tick off the list. During daytime, the backdrop is even more spectacular with the lake, the boats and the mountains. Surely one to revisit during the day.

©Daan Sonneveld/ Terrace Edition. Como 1907 vs AC Milan.

Inter – Bologna, Wednesday 20:45 - €9

The last game of the trip was Inter against Bologna. I arrived at the stadium on time to take some photos.

I noticed a banner where the Curva Nord gathered, but could’nt really figure out what it said.

A few minutes before kick-off there were still no banners, so it had to be some kind of protest. With the mighty Guiseppe Meazza stadium not complety full (I could live with that) and a quiet protest, it looked like it wasn’t going to be a highlight.

Until the second half, when the Curva Nord had a lot of flags and got them over the crowd. The second half started with a great pyro show and so started the singing.

Finally I could get my camera to work again, as the away end (all the way up) was hardly reachable for my lens.

The match ended in a draw where both teams scored twice. I must say it ended up quite entertaining, but surely needs a revisit during the day and without Inter and Milan protesting.

I recommend taking a trip to Italy and packing a film camera to capture the memories no matter how hazy.