Serie A

After we had so much fun going to a Lucca soccer game in the Italian third division ("Serie C"), we had been on the lookout for a top-level match to attend. Each team plays once or maybe twice per week, but as they play away from home, and we are moving around the country, we had our first opportunity in Rome.

Lazio - Atalanta, Oct 8, 2023.

It was sort of a tough decision on whether to go. The tickets are quite expensive and it is one of the highest-priced activities we have done so far. We weren't totally sure how safe it would be. The kids like to play soccer, and they like to keep track of professional scores, but they are not very enthusiastic about watching soccer on TV. Becca and I talked it over and decided we would go, since we had the day available and had talked about it for so long. And we were glad we did.

First, the stadium is the old Olympic stadium in Rome about three kilometers north of the Vatican. It seats around 60,000, though it was only half-full for this match. But even half full, the atmosphere was electric. Fans chant and sing throughout the match, boo and whistle at the other team, and cheer wildly for their own. The day was about 80F, warm but not hot, and our seats were under the shade roof for most of the match, so it was comfortable. 

The kids' favorite part was, perhaps, the bald eagle that Lazio uses as a mascot, and which flies around the stadium before the match, finally alighting on a stand with the Lazio shield on it.

We got a great match. Lazio jumped out to a 2-0 lead early on, gave up a goal right before halftime and a tying goal right after, only to win it 3-2 on a spectacular goal in the 84th minute. It could not have been a better experience overall.

Anticipating the game.

Getting excited with the crowd.

Pretty good seats.