Hellas Verona (Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi)

 Last week we were in Italy and more specifically Verona for a short break. When I got up on the Monday morning (we arrived late on Sunday) I noticed we were opposite the club shop for Hellas Verona. I wasn't tempted as I have never been particularly taken by Hellas, especially given the reputation of their fans. However, after seeing all the sights in the spectacular town, I still went for a nose around the stadium, not that you could get particularly close to it. In all honesty, I would have perhaps been more interested in some Chievo history, but their Serie D base was quite away out of town and I had more plans for the next day - more of that later.

 Hellas Verona - founded in 1903,  are best remembered for their remarkable 1984–85 season when they won the Scudetto under Osvaldo Bagnoli, a feat that remains one of the most celebrated shocks in Italian football. The club has since moved between divisions but retains a strong identity rooted in working-class support and intense local pride in the city of Verona. However, one of my reasons for disliking them is their ultra right politics, some of which was on show on the walls around the stadium. This season has been a tough one for them. They did manage a draw with Juve the day before we were there, but they had already been relegated back to Serie B the week before.

The club play their home matches at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, a large multi-purpose stadium shared with local rivals Chievo Verona in the past. Opened in 1963 and later renovated for the 1990 World Cup, it holds over 30,000 spectators and is known for its steep stands and atmospheric, if sometimes weathered, feel. Like a lot of stadiums in Italy that were renovated for the 1990 World Cup, it does look like it has seen better days. It's a shame that I couldn't have got closer though!











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