GENOA CFC (Stadio Luigi Ferraris)

SERIE A, GENOA 2-0 UDINESE, ATTENDANCE: 31,126

Ciao! This was the third game of a four game, four day trip to Italy. Today I headed back across country to the city of Genoa as Genoa welcomed Udinese to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The first thing you notice when you step outside the main Piazza Principe train station is the statue of Christopher Colombus as the famous 15th century explorer, the man who 'discovered the new world', was born in Genoa. This port city is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the old town, with it's narrow streets, is certainly worth visiting.

Founded in 1893, as Genoa Cricket and Athletic Club, the club has a long sporting heritage. They are the oldest extant club in Italy. The club was set up to represent England abroad and they initially played in white shirts. The football club came to prominence in 1897 when Londoner James Spensley became the club's first manager and Genoa then won the the first ever Italian championship in 1898. Whilst he was in charge of the football club, now named Genoa Cricket and Football Club, they won the league a further 5 times. In total they have won the title on 9 occasions, the most recent though was in 1924. They are the fourth most successful club in Italian football.

View of the ground from outside Mackenzie Castle 

Genoa have played at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris since it's inauguration in 1911. The 'Marassi' is the oldest stadium in Italy still in use and is, of course, shared with city rivals Sampdoria. In 1933, the stadium was named in honour of Luigi Ferraris, a footballer and engineer who perished in World War One. His Silver Medal of Military Valor was later buried under the "Gradinata Nord" where the Genoa ultras congregate.

The Stadio Luigi Ferraris had been on my radar since it was used in Italia 90, it's striking design standing out in my Panini sticker book. This was the ground where David O'Leary scored the winning penalty for Ireland against Romania to send the Irish into the last eight of the tournament.

Whilst the ground is showing its age, well the section of ground I was in was certainly lacking in spectator comforts, it didn't disappoint in terms of a football theatre. The home fans are incredibly passionate and the scenes inside were absolutely fantastic.

In this mid-table encounter it was Udinese that started the brightest but they failed to take their chances. Both teams had been denied by the woodwork when, somewhat against the run of play, Genoa took the lead thanks to a superb overhead kick from Mateo Retegui (36). Cue scenes. The game was effectively won just four minutes later when Mattia Bani headed home Albert Gudmundsson's cross. Cue more scenes. A second yellow card for Thomas Kristensen on 49 minutes sealed Udinese fate and, in truth, for the rest of the second half it was more entertaining watching the Genoa ultras go about their business. Genoa should certainly have added to their goal tally and Udinese had a late effort ruled out for a foul, but 2-0 was how it finished.

Absolutely fanatical support from I Rossoblù and I would definitely put a visit here on your groundhopping bucket list!