Football in Milan

Football in Milan
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=P._Scottyn]P. Scottyn

Although there the city is also home to lower league side Monza, visitors to Milan will find the main football affections are split between Inter and AC Milan.

The two clubs are giants of both the Italian and European game - while AC Milan could be said to have the richer history, Inter are currently the team to beat.

AC Milan's History

Crowned European champions on no less than seven occasions - second only to Real Madrid's tally of nine - AC Milan are one of the world's football elite.

Known as the Rossoneri, the sight of their distinctive black and red striped shirts left many opposing teams quaking in their boots during the 1990s when the club picked up five league titles (or Scudettos) and enjoyed two European triumphs.

Since the turn of the millennium, AC Milan have endured leaner times; despite picking two more continental crowns and another Scudetto, they have faced fierce competition from the likes of Juventus, Roma and, of course, Inter on a domestic level.

AC Milan's president is Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi - one of the reasons why the club is seen very much as the team of the establishment.

Souvenirs

Travelers staying in the city may well have their eye on a shirt as a souvenir to take home from their Milan experience. Stepping out of any Milan hostels, visitors cannot miss the stalls which line many of the streets in the city center and sell kits, flags and scarves in the colors of the two popular teams.

However, items from these markets can be fakes and shoppers hoping to lay their hands on an official shirt are advised to head down to the San Siro Stadium which is shared by both teams.

San Siro Stadium

Holding over 80,000 fans, the massive San Siro is an iconic symbol of European football, hosting the home matches of the city's two top teams.

Visitors can also gather for a tour; for €12.50 ($16.15), entry can be gained into the stadium museum at Gate 21, the price of which includes a tour of the stadium. San Siro is accessible from much of the city's accommodation, from private rooms to group accommodation.

Inter Milan

AC Milan play their rivals Inter in a hotly-contested derby match known as the Derby della Madonnina at least twice a year and tickets for the game are treasured. Inter have enjoyed a run of success over the last few years, winning the league on three consecutive occasions under former coach Roberto Mancini.

Mancini was ditched at the end of last season, however, in favor of the charismatic ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has been charged with leading the 'Nerazurri' to European success in the Champions League, a competition Inter have won only twice in all its forms.

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