Roma Roma Roma

For anyone who does not know, I get really invested in when I watch sports live. I am that type of person who stands up, yells, makes hand gestures, participates in all the chants, and gets super invested in watching the entirety of the game. Now imagine a whole stadium of people like that.

That is what going to a Roma soccer game is like.

I was the first one in our group to suggest going to a soccer game as a Bernardi group at the beginning of the year. I really enjoy watching soccer and had heard so many crazy stories about Italian soccer. I knew that I could not live with myself if I left Rome without watching at least one soccer game live. My chance finally came on Sunday, November 24. Roma played Brescia, which is a club from northern Italy. The Olympic Stadium where Roma soccer calls home is only about a 30-minute walk from Bernardi so it is super convenient. Walking to the stadium, I could not stop smiling the whole way there. I have been waiting for the whole semester to be a part of such a crazy and fun atmosphere. This was a big game for Roma and Brescia both. Brescia was in the #20 spot (which is last in the league) while Roma was at #6. Brescia needed this win so that they could boost their ranking and stay in the Series A. If they lost, they would be bumped down to a lower league, so they really were playing for their lives. Roma needed the win so they could be boosted higher in the rankings to have a better chance in the playoffs and also so they could keep their pride (and love from their city) by not losing to the lowest-ranked team in the Series.

After going through two rounds of security, we finally made it into the stadium and were walking up to our seats when the whole stadium stands up and starts to sing. I was so overwhelmed that I could not focus on any of the words until what I think was the second verse. When I finally got my bearings and listened, I still understood absolutely nothing. The only thing that I could pick out was when they sang “Roma, Roma, Romaaaaa”. This song proved to be very catchy as it is still stuck in my head, a day later. After the whole stadium sat down, the group of us made it to our seats, sat down, and then the game started. To keep us entertained but still safe, the director of our program, Thanos, got us tickets in the section right next to the loudest and craziest section of fans. These fans are somewhat lovingly called the “ultras” or “hooligans” by other Italians due to their commitment and love for this sport and this team. They really did not disappoint as there were many massive flags, constant clapping and chanting, flares (which are illegal in the stadium), and lots and lots of yelling. I honestly do not know how many of those people had a voice after the game. Even though I did not know what they were yelling, singing, or chanting about 95% of the time, they really did enhance the game. It took about 20 minutes into the game until I started too making hand gestures, standing, clapping, and yelling (in English). The people surrounding me, including my peers, probably thought I was an absolute goon for yelling in English and acting as crazily as I did, but I really do not have any regrets.

It was not until the 49th minute that Roma finally scored. And by golly did the entire stadium erupt. This cheering was the loudest that I had ever experienced in my life and the energy in the air was absolutely electric. This cheering was topped only by the goal during the 57th minute by Roma. This cheering was topped only by the booing when the referees took away the third goal made by Roma due to offsides. The booing was then forgotten when Roma rightfully scored during the 66th minute. Roma scored again but that goal again was taken away by the referees, but this time the booing was a lot quieter. Whatever quiet means for Italian soccer matches, anyways. By this time the Romans knew that they were going to come out victorious, which was cause for much celebration. I was smiling from ear to ear, beaming with Roma pride. I thought it could not get any better until the end of the game when time ran out, and the entire stadium erupted into another song that started with “Grazie Roma”. Did I understand the rest of the song? Nope. But I did think it was pretty funny that they were thanking the team for winning and making the whole city of Roma proud. I could only imagine that the rest of the lyrics were again keying into this idea of “Thank you for not sucking and making me not want to kill you”.

For this week I am leaving you with two quotes from one of the best Italian soccer players of all time and former Roma player, Francesco Totti:

“I won’t leave Roma. I am happy here”

And my personal favorite…

“I cheated on all my girlfriends with each other. But I never cheated on Roma and I never will”