Serie A: League’s biggest rivalries and grudge matches featuring Derby della Madonnina, Derby d’Italia, more
Written by Luck Wilson on August 17, 2021
The new Serie A season is almost upon us, and it promises to be a great year of calcio exclusively on Paramount+ and CBS Sports. Let’s take a look at some of the key matches and clubs which you can look forward to seeing in action this coming campaign. And you can always check out the full Serie A schedule here.
We start with two giants.
1. Derby della Madonnina: AC Milan vs. Inter Milan
The Milan derby is the only grudge match in European soccer between two clubs from the same city who have both won the UEFA Champions League. Both Milan and Inter are big boys in Serie A and the latter are defending titleholders this season while Milan finished last season in second. For Milan this season also marks their return to the Champions League after seven seasons away from Europe’s top competition. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the attacking line for Milan and Lautaro Martinez stepping out of Romelu Lukaku’s shadow after his transfer to Chelsea, there are plenty of superstar names decorating this rivalry.
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2. Derby d’Italia: Inter Milan vs. Juventus
Juventus’s enjoy rivalries with many different clubs, and not just their bitter local foes Torino FC. The clash between Inter and the Old Lady came about as a reference to it usually deciding which side is the best in the country. Both have gone through difficult times over the years, but they remain two major powerhouses in the Italian game. Last year it was Inter that snapped Juventus’s remarkable nine year run atop Serie A.
3. Juventus vs. the world
Given their status as Italy’s dominant force, Juve play key roles in several heated rivalries with Fiorentina, Milan, Napoli, and Roma clubs they have grudge matches with. The latter three could all feature heavily in the title race this coming campaign.
4. Derby della Capitale: SS Lazio vs. AS Roma
The Roman derby is the capital city grudge match and while neither side is a perennial title contender, they are both still fairly big fish in the domestic pond and regular contenders for Champions League spots. With Maurizio Sarri and Jose Mourinho coaching on either side of the divide this season, fireworks are guaranteed in the shared Stadio Olimpico.
5. Derby della Mole: Juventus vs. Torino FC
Probably one of the most lopsided rivalries in the modern era, this is the Turin derby which is often won by the dominant Juve. For a while, these clubs even shared a stadium which added to the animosity, but it often feels as if the Bianconeri have bigger fish to fry with their other domestic rivals.
6. Derby della Lanterna: Genoa CFC vs. UC Sampdoria
Although not the most glamorous of Italian derbies, this meeting between the two Genovese rivals is always a charged affair at the shared Stadio Luigi Ferraris or Marassi as it is known locally. Genoa are actually highly noteworthy and not just for their rivalry with I Blucerchiati — they are the oldest Italian soccer and that is reflected in their Cricket and Football Club title. This season they will be led by Davide Ballardini and are captained by Domenico Criscito.
7. Derby del Sole: SSC Napoli vs. AS Roma
Napoli have some fiery derbies with Palermo FC but they are currently lower down the Italian domestic ladder so their clashes with Roma enjoy the focus of the Partenopei’s passionate fanbase with a full Stadio Diego Armando Maradona a wonderful sight. Under Luciano Spalletti this season, Napoli will hope to push on while Mourinho will further fan these flames.
8. Derby dell’Appennino: Bologna FC 1909 vs. ACF Fiorentina
The derby between these two sides was created by the Apennine Mountains between the two cities and although it is largely a mid-table affair these days, it is still packed with color and noise. Fans of a certain generation will be familiar with Fiorentina and their eye-catching violet kits, but despite recent struggles the Viola have long been known for more than their famous jerseys, and once enjoyed a golden era which saw them boast talents such as Gabriel Batistuta and Rui Costa.
9. Venezia FC vs. TBD
Finally, one of this season’s newcomers are making some noise with their neat kit designs and some American-focused recruitment with Tanner Tessmann and Gianluca Busio both joining Paolo Zanetti’s side this summer. Their unique Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo is accessible only by boat and although it is not as fierce as other rivalries, they do have a Veneto derby against Hellas Verona. As they look to make a name for themselves in the top flight of Italian soccer the matter of who their fiercest rivals may become is yet to be determined.
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