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L'ossessione degli italiani con il calcio
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Is soccer popular in Italy?

In Italy, there is a joke that every citizen is actually a secret “Technical Commissioner” for the national team. Whether they are world-class athletes or “armchair sportsmen” who haven't moved a muscle in years, almost everyone has a loud opinion on Calcio (soccer). In Italy, soccer is much more than a game. It is a cultural obsession that bridges the gap between ancient history and modern business.

Italians' obsession with Soccer -

What are the origins of soccer?

The roots of the sport in Italy go back over 2,000 years to Ancient Greece and Rome, where early versions of ball games were played with very different rules. However, the modern game took hold about a century ago. Italy’s first official team, Genoa, was founded in 1893, marking the start of an era where soccer would eventually distinguish itself from rugby and become a national “tormentone” (an obsession).

Today, the Italian league is structured into categories, with Serie A at the top. This is where the “giants” live – teams like Juventus, Milan, Inter, and Roma. For the fans of these clubs, soccer isn’t just entertainment; the teams are treated like major corporations, listed on the stock exchange and fueled by massive sponsorships.

Are Italians soccer fans?

The word for a fan in Italy is tifoso, which actually shares a root with the word for “typhus” (fever). It’s a fitting description. A true tifoso doesn't just watch the game; they live it.

  • The Ritual: They go to the stadium every week, draped in team scarves and jerseys, treating the players like family members.
  • The Discussion: Perhaps even more important than the game itself is the “after-game” (dopo-partita). On TV, radio, and in every coffee bar across the country, experts and fans engage in heated debates over every goal, every foul, and every referee’s decision.
  • The Loyalty: Friendships have been known to end over a disputed penalty, and rivalry between cities is fierce.

Is there an Italian national soccer team?

Despite the intense rivalries between local clubs, there is one thing that can bring all Italians together: the Nazionale (the national team), affectionately known as the Azzurri. Every four years, during the World Cup, the internal feuds are forgotten. The country unites under a single shout: “Forza Italia!” During these months, the sport has the power to make people forget their daily problems. In the past, some companies have even closed early so employees could watch the national team play. Giant screens are set up in piazzas, and even the smallest bars must have a TV, or they risk being completely empty.

Has there ever been a dark chapter in the history of Italian soccer?

The year 2018 marked a dark chapter in Italian sports history. For the first time since 1958, Italy failed to qualify for theWorld Cup. For the Italian public, this wasn't just a sporting disappointment; it was treated like a national tragedy. However, because the Italian passion for soccer is so deep, they didn't ignore the tournament. Instead, most Italians simply “adopted” another country’s team to cheer for, refusing to let the lack of an Italian squad ruin the magic of the world's biggest sporting event.