“Milan Divided: The Champions League City Derby Takes Center Stage”

In the northern Italian metropolis of Milan, the usual focus is not on finances, political demonstrations or protests against expensive apartment rents. The most important topic in Italy’s economic and financial center is currently football – the Champions League and perhaps the most prestigious city duel of the hour: Internazionale Milano welcomes AC Milan in the second leg in the fight for the final – and that with a 2-0 win from the first leg a week ago in the back. There was also cause for celebration in the league, thanks to a 4-2 win against Sassuolo, Inter overtook Lazio and are now third in the table. Milan, on the other hand, come to the second leg with the burden of the lost first leg, also had to accept a 2-0 loss at Spezia in the league and are only fifth in the table.

Wherever in Milan, on the cathedral square or in the Galleria San Vittore, in coffee houses, in schools and restaurants – it’s all about one question: who will win the semi-finals of the Champions League? Inter or Milan? The city is divided. While Milan supporters primarily gather in the suburbs of Milan, Inter fans are mainly found in the center of the city. Well-known bankers and managers such as Mediobanca boss Alberto Nagel or top manager Alessandro Profumo are unconditionally committed to Inter.

Dominated the Champions League with Berlusconi

The “Rossoneri”, as the Milan players are also known because of the red and black club colors, gained popularity especially in years when former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was the club owner (1986-2017) and during this time they were champions five times league won. In the meantime, Berlusconi has sold the football club to the US investment company Redbird.

Thousands of Milan fans gathered in the Milanello suburb on Sunday. Where your team trains. Families with small children, young people and seniors sang in the choir “Siamo con te” (We are with you). The fans showed solidarity with the team despite the recent defeats. The “Milanisti” hope for the miracle of San Siro on Tuesday. Giacomo Bonora, high school student in Milan, has always been a Milan fan, just like his father Daniele and brother Luca. “Our chances are slim,” he admits. But the Inter fans shouldn’t celebrate prematurely – anything is still possible. Giacomo talks about his class, which is divided and in which the “Milanisti” and “Interisti” are now insulting each other. The Champions League city derby is also dealt with in detail in the professors’ room, he reports.

Division is evident everywhere

Milan president Paolo Scaroni has pinned his hopes on young Portuguese striker Rafael Leao, who has been absent from the last two games. “It’s true that Milan haven’t lived up to expectations recently, but you can always count on anything in football,” said Scaroni, reflecting the general mood. In any case, Tuesday will be a night of great football “where anything can happen”.

The division is not only evident in Milan’s schools, but also in public life. In our apartment building in Via Soresina, in the center of Milan, the Champions League is discussed in the elevator, on the stairwell, in the entrance – and opinions differ. Caretaker Severino, a staunch AC Milan supporter for decades, suggests the homeowners should watch Tuesday night’s game together. He himself is well prepared – even with tranquilizers, he says, ashamed. For him, as for so many, a victory for his team would be a personal triumph.

The “Derby della Madonnina” is named after the gilded Madonna figure at the top of Milan Cathedral, the symbol of the city. The derby is not shaped by cultural or political differences. The enormous interest can also be explained by the fact that Inter Milan emerged from the older AC Milano. A special feature to this day: both major Milan clubs share the Stadio San Siro – and thanks to AC and Inter, Milan is currently the European football capital. The only city sure to have a club in the final.