As the weather warning issued by authorities in Bologna continues to escalate, the city is grappling with the devastating effects of recent heavy rains, which have left many of its residents struggling to make ends meet. Amidst this chaos, the decision on whether to proceed with the scheduled match between Bologna and Milan at the “Dall’Ara” stadium has sparked intense debate.
Mayor Matteo Lepore’s ordinance, denying permission for the match, has been met with resistance from the Italian Lega Serie A, who are eager to preserve the regularity of the championship, even if it means relocating the game to a different city, such as Como. However, the decision has not won over the hearts of the fans, particularly those in the Curva Andrea Costa, who are adamant about not supporting the decision to proceed with the match.
“It’s hard to live,” says a member of the group, describing the dire situation their city is facing. “We’re dealing with mud and muck everywhere, it’s hard to even get to work. And to think that 35,000 people would be pouring into one of the most affected areas of the city, while others are struggling to even leave their homes just a few meters away, it’s just not right.”
The Curva Andrea Costa group has made it clear that if the match is allowed to go ahead with doors open, they will not be attending, and will instead direct their energies towards supporting their local community, rather than indulging in what they see as a “grotesque show.”
As the city of Bologna continues to weather the storm, it is clear that the real challenge lies not in the weather warning, but in the resilience of its people, who are persevering in the face of adversity.
