Guardando Le Donne dell' Inter
Words: Guirec Munier
Images: Guirec Munier
Milan. Valentine's Eve. An idyllic setting to share a pleasant moment with your loved one you might say. Well not at all. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to go watch a women's football match at the Arena Civica, alone.
Built at the beginning of the 19th century by the will of Napoleon Bonaparte, the current stadium of the Inter Milan women's team has lived multiple existences. Inspired by a Roman circus and built from stones resulting from the demolition of the remains of castles previously located on this site, the amphitheater was in turn a place where naval battles, horse races, fireworks, circus shows, hot air balloon ascensions and skating took place.
Between 1930 and 1947, the Arena Civica was the stadium of AC Milan for a 4-year interlude and especially the stadium of Inter for 17 years before migrating to the Scala del calcio, San Siro.
Piqued by the curiosity of discovering this atypical stadium in the 21st century, I took advantage of my stay in Milan for AC Milan vs Stade Rennais to attend the women's version of the Derby of Italy.
Unlike the Women's Super League, a Serie A Femminile clash between Inter Milan and Juventus attracts a modest but enthusiastic crowd. Guided more by passion for their colours and for the game than by the stakes, the audience present vibrates piano piano. Far from the tumult of the Curva Nord.
Megaphone in hand, the capi of the Milanese and Turin kops praise the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri, children and adolescents wave large manga-inspired flags and drums punctuate the handclaps.
The joy on the faces of young girls meeting their heroes is as strong as the collective noise of any ultras group. Women’s football in Italy is growing slowly but surely.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
©Guirec Munier/ Terrace Edition. Inter Women vs Juventus Women.
Guirec can be found on Instagram: @jeanprouffisonfire
