This is a list of the majorfootball derbies in Italy.
Somederbies have developed on the basis of intra-city rivalries (locally calledstracittadine), others on a regional basis, and others are formed due to sporting or political rivalry and have little to do with geographical proximity.
Early Italian football was characterised by numerous matches between teams of the same cities, as teams would have needed to compete in regional preliminary phases in order to compete at the national level.
During the 1920s, thefascist leaders noted the great propaganda potential in what had become the first national sport. Most Italian cities were restricted to only a single club that could play professionally, although this rule was relaxed in three major cities ofNorthern Italy:Genoa,Milan andTurin, places where Italian football was born, which meant that the individual clubs' cultures were by that point too ingrained to be restricted. Further, due to the strong resistance ofLazio to joinRoma, the same treatment was accorded to Rome, the capital.
When theSerie A began in 1929, three derbies were played in the top flight, which became four in 1935–36. Eighty years later, a fifth derby took place for the first time in 2001–02 when former amateur sideChievo contested theVerona Derby with the more traditionalHellas Verona.
The following city derbies are those that have been played at least once inSerie A.
Derby della Lanterna (Derby of theLighthouse): Italy's oldest derby seesGenoa clash withSampdoria. Sampdoria was formed in 1946, but other clubs from the city (which became the modern day Sampdoria) have contested the derby against Genoa since 1902. These teams areAndrea Doria,Sampierdarenese, Liguria Football Club and La Dominante.
Derby del Sole (Derby of the Sun):Napoli–Roma: these became the first two clubs in Central Italy and Southern Italy to be admitted to the National Division in 1926–27.
Derby dell'Appennino (Apennines Derby):Bologna–Fiorentina: Bologna is the largest city and the administrative seat ofEmilia-Romagna, while Florence is the largest city and the administrative seat ofTuscany. The two cities are separated by theApennines. This match was played for first time in the 1926–27 "Prima divisione" championship, Fiorentina's inaugural season in the top flight. The fierce rivalry between the supporters of the two sides dates from the Seventies, the first years of the "Ultras" subculture. Most violent clashes happened in 1988–89Serie A season, when Fiorentina's supporters threwmolotov cocktails at the train carrying hundreds of Bologna's visiting supporters to Florence. A 14-year-old boy was heavily injured, and the angry Bologna supporters paraded to the stadium causing brawls and damages.[1][2]
Derby del Tronto or the Piceno:Ascoli–Sambenedettese, the major derby for both sets of fans, a heated football match. Always citizens ofSan Benedetto del Tronto assert their autonomy from the capitalPiceno. This turned derby was played in Serie B seasons 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1985–86.
Derby del Lario:Como–Lecco, was played several times Serie B whenLecco was still part of the Province of Como. It's a duel between the two branches of Lake Como and Volta to that of Manzoni.
Derby of the Lucca:Lucchese–Viareggio extremely dangerous having some of the historical precedents, especially in twenties and thirties. "In May 1920 a bad refereeing the football match between the team and the town of Lucca lights the fuse to a popular upheaval that autoelegge Viareggio Republic isolating it completely for three days".[6] There are precedents in the seasons Serie A 1934–35 and Serie B 1935–36, and in the second level of the Italian soccer league in the twenties.
Modena–Sassuolo DerbyModena–Sassuolo, not a long-lasting rivalry, but it started to have some relevance to recent precedents as Sassuolo has established themselves at a higher level. It was in fact played in Serie B 2008–09 and 2012–13.
Modena–Carpi DerbyModena–Carpi, Another minor local rivalry, featured in Serie B 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons.
Sassuolo–Carpi DerbySassuolo–Carpi, Another minor local rivalry, featured in Serie A 2015–16 season.
Napoli–Savoia Derby,Napoli–Savoia was played for the first time 24 December 1939, during the knockout phase of the Italian Cup from 1939 to 1940, the score was 1–3 Savoy Naples.[7] In the only previous league games dating back to the championship1999–2000 Serie B, when the Naples returned to Serie A and the Savoy relegated to Serie C1. The results were Savoia-Napoli 0–1
Saints Derby or Padua Derby:Padua–Cittadella, is played for the first time in championship Serie B in 2009–10 after several derbies inSerie C1, and also in 2000 in 2002 whenCittadella played inPadua its first two seasons inSerie B. At the dawn of Italian football is also played in the derbyPadua andPetrarca.
Derby Varese:Varese–Pro Patria, derby between the team and the capital of theBusto Arsizio, a city that for years has ambitions to become the capital of the province.
Derby di Vicenza or Derby della Lana (Wool Derby):Lanerossi Vicenza–A.C. Marzotto. It was played mostly between the two world wars in the third series, but also inSerie B in the early 1950s. The rivalry between Vicenza and Valdagno, despite not officially meeting for decades, is still on, so that in a few bars ofValdagno is still served a cocktail called "Cinqueazero" ("Fivetozero") in memory of a victory of Marzotto in the 1940s.
The only derby in Abruzzo that have been played inSerie B is the one betweenPescara andVirtus Lanciano in 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 and the other one betweenPescara andCastel di Sangro in 1996–97 and 1997–98 (Serie B).
In general, the challenges between the three most famous teams of the region (Bari, Lecce and Foggia) played in Serie A. Featured:
Apulian Derby:Bari–Lecce, the match between the two most important teams of Apulia, in the second half of the 1990s.
Derby of the Murgia:Taranto–Bari, the main centers of region. Due to the different fortunes of the two teams, the derby is no longer played at the official level by 1993.
Derby of Apulia:Foggia–Bari has been played in the top division in 1991–92, 1993–94 and 1994–95.
Derby della Calabria: any game between the teams ofCatanzaro,Cosenza,Reggina andCrotone. The derby between Catanzaro and Cosenza, considered the quintessential derby, the first Calabrian derby was played in Serie B in 1946. After that, historically another derby on and heard from both sets of fans since the early 60 'has always been Cosenza-Reggina,[8][9] also played in Serie B, but since the 1988–89 season.
Derby of the former province of Catanzaro:Catanzaro-Crotone is the former derby in the province of Catanzaro in Croton there was a part before the '90s. This game was played in Serie B only in seasons 2004–05 and 2005–06.
Derby of Ancient Greece:Reggina-Crotone played in Serie B since 2001, ended in a tie except for 2010 where the victory of amaranth slowed the run of the Pythagoreans to the play-offs and another win there amaranth is in the Italian Cup in 2013 1–0. Then Scida historic victory at 2–0 Crotone at home against Reggina after 37 years from the previous victory in October 2013.
In addition to those listed the only other derby Calabrian played at least in Serie B is between Cosenza and Crotone in Serie B 2000–01, 2001–02,2018–19 and 2019–20
Historically, the biggest football event of the region is theDerby della Campania, that is the challenge that confronts two teams fromAvellino,Napoli andSalerno.
Emilia–Romagna Derby:Bologna (Emilia's most reputable club, which is based in the region's largest city andEmilia-Romagna's administrative city) take onCesena (traditionally the strongest team inRomagna) in a clash that has occurred on a regular basis since the 1970s inSerie A andSerie B
Derby ofVia Emilia: all matches betweenPiacenza,Parma,Reggiana,Modena,Bologna andCesena, the fiercest of which are the Emilia–Romagna Derby (see above); the River Secchia Derby (see below); theDerby d'Emilia (see above); theDerby dell'Enza (see above); and the Duchy Derby (see below), although Piacenza feels a certain distance from regional rivalries, cultivating stronger rivalries with teams from southernLombardy, such asCremonese,Pavia andMantova
Derby of the Northeast:Udinese–Triestina, which match see opposing capitals of the regions historical and geographicFriuli andVenezia Giulia, and also the only two regional clubs to ever be landed in Serie A. They competed for 7 seasons in Serie A since 1950–51 to 1958–59.
The only derby between two teams of Lazio which was held only in the top isThe Rome Derby.
Derby del Romano–Ciociaro: Roma/Lazio–Frosinone, these derbies were played for the first time in history in the 2015–16 Serie A season.[10]
Derby of the Lower Lazio:Frosinone–Latina, meeting strongly felt in both provinces, which confronts two realities very different regional, such asCiociaria (Frosinone) andPontine (Latina). Played for years in lower categories, it was played in Serie B for the first time in 2014-15.
Since the early days of football in Italy, Liguria has been breeding ground for numerous teams and have therefore many derbies between teams of Liguria in Serie A and Serie B:
Virtus Entella–Spezia, which took place several times in the minor leagues and in Serie B 2014–2015; is felt mainly by the fans of the former club.[11]
Genoa–Savona Derby, held on several occasions between the 1910s and 1920s and only twice since the advent of the championships in a single round: Serie B 1966–1967 and Serie C 1970–1971.
Genoa–Spezia Derby,[12] a meeting that traces its roots back to the 1920s, and was played in Serie B in a single round only in the 2006–07 season. After the head-to-head at the top of the Serie C1 league in 2005–2006, the rivalry has been rekindled.[13][14]
Sampdoria–Savona Derby, held in a single season in Serie B in 1966–67.
Sanremese–Spezia Derby, held in Serie A in the 1930s and several other times in the minor leagues.
Savona–Sestrese Derby, held in Serie B 1946–1947 and numerous minor leagues.
Savona–Spezia Derby, held in Serie B in 1940s and several other times in the minor leagues.
Sestrese–Spezia Derby, held in Serie B in 1946–1947 and in numerous minor championships.
Three teams have now disappeared, Gymnastics Club Sampierdarenese, Liguria Football Club and La Dominante disputed derbies with the other teams in Liguria in Serie A or Serie B.
Derby of Lombardy:Brescia–Atalanta fierce rivalry between two industrial centres of Lombardy, historically linked by their common origin in the ancientCeltic tribe ofCenomani, a background that is reflected in the similarity between thedialects of the two cities, distinct from those of the surrounding provinces. The pride of belonging to the city intensifies the rivalry.[15][16]
Derby di Bergamo:Atalanta–AlbinoLeffe: prior to this match being played inSerie B,Atalanta's games againstAlzanoCene were considered the derby, but the clear domination of support for Atalanta meant the rivalry was weak.[17]
Derby del Lario:Como–Lecco, until some time ago it was considered a provincial rivalry; since 1993, with the creation of theprovince of Lecco, has become a clash between two independent realities which continues also in non-football. It is a duel between the two branches ofLake Como toVolta and theManzoni. The two sides met several times in theSerie B andSerie C but never in the top flight.
Derby Insubria:Como–Varese, is one of the most heated rivalry in the west of Italy, so as to be considered risky even in the lower categories. After years of involvement in different series teams have found themselves in theLega Pro Seconda Divisione 2008–09 season.
Derby dell'Altomilanese:Pro Patria–Legnano clash between the two cities has always been in search of their own autonomy, which should be close to the current submissionVarese andMilan. The rivalry has historical roots that finds traces in the communal. Both companies have in the pastSerie A and four times they met in the top flight.
DerbyComo–Monza, defined as the "hottest derby in Serie B", the rivalry dates back to 1967, when Monza beat Como in a decisive promotion play-off match for the Serie B. In 1980, a 3–3 draw between the two ultimately killed Monza's chance of promotion to the Serie A; violence ensued between the two opposing fans.[18]
DerbyMonza–Pro Sesto, linked to the rivalry geographical proximity between the two cities. Historically, the two sides have had a tradition of beating the other away from home.[19]
DerbyCremonese–Mantova, in recent years, with the fall ofgrigiorossi in the lower divisions, it has become one of the most heated rivalries in the north of Italy, so as to be considered risky. Numerous meetings were held in the early 2000s inSecond Division after years of militancy in different series.
Derby Violin:Cremonese–Brescia, the historic rivalry on and also though with a few noteworthy episodes in recent years in view of the changing fortunes of the two teams.
The derby hotter and heard is that betweenAncona andAscoli. It represents the clash between the two teams most qualified at the regional level, the only ones to have achieved, although at different times, the championship ofItalian Cup.
Rice Derby:Novara–Pro Vercelli, held in back to Serie B in the 2012–13 season after the last previous away Serie B 1947–48 season. There are precedents in the first level of the football league at the beginning of the last century.
Eastern Piedmont Derby:Pro Vercelli–Casale, earlier they were both in Serie A and in B in the first half of the last century.
Other Sicilian derbies are deeply felt among fans islanders also encountersPalermo–Messina andCatania–Messina, played in Serie A, and the following played at leastSerie A a single group:
Derby Guelph–Ghibelline:Fiorentina–Siena, the game felt much more by fans of Siena. The province of Siena is the one with the highest number of purple fans after the province of Florence, it is therefore a "derby derby" as if the city were playing against Siena Siena province.
Livorno–Pisa Derby, is different from the various Tuscan derby because of the historic rivalry between the two the city. In Italy it is one of the challenges of high risk of public policy.
Fiorentina–Pisa, deeply felt on both sides, and despite the rivalry felt ever more part of Pisa is the one with the "cousins" of theLivorno, some sections of the fans neroazzurra point out that in fact their true derby is the one with the '"hated"Fiorentina.
Pistoiese–Prato Derby, is a very sensitive derby between the two cities, there have been numerous clashes between rival supporters.
Derby Medici:Fiorentina–Livorno, holds the record of being the Tuscan derby most played in the top flight Italian football with 32 games (16 seasons).
Livorno–Siena Derby:Livorno–Siena, strong rivalry since the 1950s between the two sides.
Forum Derby:Lucchese–Pisa has become very important because this challenge in recent years has been very often. It is strongly felt by both sets of fans.
DerbySiena–Empoli, the rivalry between the two sides.
Derby Saline:Grosseto–Siena, the rivalry between the capital city of the Palio Maremma and the related a historical hatred between the two cities that began in the Middle Ages, as Siena attacked and subdued Grosseto four times to steal economic hegemony in the salt marshes of the coast. The last meeting between the two teams dates back to the 2010–2011 Serie B championship.
Derby of ArchipelagoGrosseto–Livorno, a challenge that is held for the first time in the Serie A championship 2008–2009, after 30 years of no official challenges between the two teams.[24]
Derby Pisano:Pisa–Pontedera, considered a derby "light", with no disagreements or issues of public policy, strongly felt by the fans and very little from those of Pontedera Pisa.
DerbyEmpoli–Prato: it was considered a provincial derby until 1993, when Prato became an independent province (previously it was part of theProvince of Florence). It was played only one time in1949–50 Serie B season.
Derby of Umbria:Perugia–Ternana a sentimental derby and at high risk of incidents, while not having never played in the Serie A is the clash between the two largest clubs in Umbria.[25]
There used to be another local club based inTerni,Sporting Terni, but its existence was short lived.
Veneto Derby:Hellas Verona–Vicenza, the derby between the two sides is fierce to the point of being extremely violent. It is a derby whose origins date back to a strong rivalry between the two cities as far back as the Middle Ages. Played several times in Serie A.
DerbyPoPiacenza–Cremonese, Piacenza Emilia south bank of the Po, Cremona, Lombardy the north bank of the Po, is distinguished because of the historic rivalry between the two cities, which is only thirty km. To the fans of both teams is considered as the derby heard in the context of their rivalry.[27]
Derby Etruria (or Umbrian–Tuscan derby):Perugia–Arezzo born in the 1970s for purely sporting reasons, the challenge is sentitissima and considered a derby in effect, also because of the relative proximity between the two cities.[28]
