Sunday, 2 February, 2020
Before we detail the big events of the day . . .
Happy Groundhog Day!
If you're into that sort of thing that is.
Good selfie taken before
Saturday's practice at Skorpion Field
From left to right: RB Coach Cristian "Bumba" Bianchi, me, Skorpions Man-of-All-Trades Pietro Caprioli and LB Coach Fabio Drigo
We'll all hook up at Fabio's home to view the 12:30 a.m. MONDAY kickoff of Super Bowl LIV Central European Time.
As for today, I had the pleasure of being with Pietro all day for a trip to Milano's historic Stadio San Siro to view the AC Milan-Verona Serie A calcio game.
The game was slated to start at 3:00 p.m.
Verona
10th Place in Serie A
8 wins - 5 ties - 7 losses
29 team points
at
AC Milan
8th Place in Serie A
9 wins - 4 ties - 8 losses
31 team points
There are 20 clubs competing in Serie A calcio which is Italy's top soccer league.
As for the team points that determine the standings, a team gets three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
I'm not sure of how strong Verona's history is in the sport but for Milan, this has been a disappointing campaign to date.
Milan has a young team that recently signed fabled veteran Zlatan Ibrahimović, fresh from playing for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy, in order to supply much needed leadership.
Unfortunately, he had the flu today and would not play.
The trip to San Siro started with a bus ride to the train station.
Five of literally dozens of
weekend athletes who exploded
past my bus stop while I waited
for my C Line bus
At the Varese train station,
my train to meet up with
Pietro Caprioli would be 25 mites late
Despite the delay, after meeting Pietro at the train station close to his home, we were able to use Pietro's inside knowledge of how to drive to the stadium using less traveled, secret byways to smoothly get to San Siro while many were stuck in traffic.
He has honed his driving skills and knowledge of all things AC Milan related during his 40+ years of being a rabid fan and season ticket holder.
Lots of AC Milan gear for sale
outside the Stadio
Ibrahimović is BACK!
Just not today . . .
The classic architecture of one of
Europe's Greatest Soccer Cathedrals
More gear for sale
Pietro says that in his 40+ seasons
coming to San Siro that he has tried
every food stand set up outside
Stadio San Siro and that this is
THE BEST!
The panini completo was as amazing as he said it would be!
Why bother to even try any of the other food trucks?
The same panini stand had
a truly classic coffee machine
Our seats in the Curva Sud
where Pietro basically knew
every passionate Milan fan near us
by their first name
Given the so-so AC Milan season,
the Stadio would only be about
70% full today
But the Curve Sud Ultras
would pack our end
of the San Siro
Love all of the banners
Milan Passion as they
introduce the players
These two guys were our Curva Sud
section's personal song leaders
They only saw about 33% of the game as they were usually facing us to get our section to join into the non-stop songfest.
Our two song leaders in action
Did I mention that smoking is not only allowed in San Siro, I believe that it is encouraged.
Verona scored first at about the 13 minute
mark and Milan would answer
about 12 minutes later
It was 1-1 at the half.
The second half saw continued
passionate support from Curva Sud
Despite having a one-man advantage for the last 20 minutes of the game, AC Milan just could not convert on any of their numerous scoring opportunities.
The game ended as a 1-1 tie, disappointing for the Curva Sud Ultras to say the least.
GRAZIE MILLE PIETRO!
I got home at about 6:00 p.m.,
hopefully I can get a little rest
before Super Bowl LIV's kickoff
Monday morning
I wonder if Coach Andy Reid of
the Chiefs will call this play in
Super Bowl LIV?
It worked great in Kansas City's huge win in Super Bowl IV fifty years ago over the heavily favored Vikings.
Running back Mike Garrett, the 1965 Heisman Trophy winner from USC, was good for a TD on this play in 1970.
GO CHIEFS!
2 comments:
Looks like fun! I still remember my one Serie A game as the most Italian experience I've had in my three visits.
It is an interesting cultural experience to be sure!
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