As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
crocit wrote:looking forward to this, some people said, Milan is boring and no pubs open after midnight, bullshit, my mate who went last time said there was a street with some quality nightclubs, bang on it for some Italian Clunge
italian clunge haha brilliant mate, yeah to the above comments we went roma and barca as well as plenty of prem away games and the banter is always top class, so many top nights drinking till the early hours with lads we just met, end of the day we are all going there for the same reason the love of our club,
itailian clunge, now if its simalar to spansih clunge then we will love it,
thats four of us booked hotel now, Best Western Hotel Galles , £155 each for 3 nights but its right in the centre and has indoor pool sauna etc to nurse those morning hangovers
Have done a few Euro aways on my todd, just chat with people in the pubs & bars, you'll find plenty of top Gooners....
So you think I'd be alright - I will literally know nobody out there. Often go to home games but its with the same couple of people who don't wanna go to Italy!
Am thinking it's worth doing a couple of nights, Tuesday-Thursday, to make the most of it...?
get ya sen on it i will meet up with ya for some ale, i am bookin in that ibis aswell and its stil £50 a night for 2 people, rate cheap that is, £25 each, only doing wed morn to thurs aft tho
sounds like alot of people from here r stayin there so prob best u stay there and will meet alot of others, i think u will get travel and hotel alot cheaper than £250 i got return flights for £70, Hotel for £25 and thne tickets £25
Bus is easy too, Malpensa shuttle every 20mins with a 40 minute journey to the Central rail station for Euro 7.50. Pick it up at the airport following the bus signs close to the taxi rank.
Just an option.
I went to the last 2 trips to Milan. What I will say is that the atmosphere created by our away gooners sent shivers down my spine! Best away trip EVER!
I went to the last 2 trips to Milan. What I will say is that the atmosphere created by our away gooners sent shivers down my spine! Best away trip EVER!
I picked up some blurb about booking the bus tickets online, a return for a small discount, i can find a website but my italian is not good. Do you know anything about it Gunner
5 of us staying in the hotel Portello £270 for 3 nights with Ba flights from Heathrow at decent times. its only about a mile from the Ground so getting back after the game should be easy
I found this when looking up stuff about Milan. Be careful, they may be drunk people at the match
A Night in the San Siro
by Kieran Beckles
Champions' league nights are a special occurrence in football. Occasions where some of the best teams in Europe are drawn against each other. Stars of the Premiership meet the heroes of La Liga and legends of Serie A. For any football fan it is a night to remember. The atmosphere outside and inside the stadium is electric. The champions league music simply iconic. It can't get any better than this for football fans.
Previous to the Inter Milan v Manchester United tie in the San Siro, I had been to one Champions League game before. Albeit a 3rd qualifying round tie, I had sat with the home fans, the atmosphere was good and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I had been eagerly anticipating this clash between the champions of Italy and England for weeks. A glamorous tie, a rematch between two great managers: Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.
When I entered the stadium, it transpired that I would be sitting in the away end with the Manchester United supporters. My friend had got me the ticket. We looked for our seats in the away stand but struggled to find them. However a steward came over and told us we could sit whereever we liked. Immediately this struck me as a bit strange. Surely this would create confusion as the late stragglers came to find their seats. It also became pretty obvious that most of the fans in the away section were intoxicated. Some to the point were they could barely stand up. As kick off approached the stand filled up. Worryingly many fans weren't bothering to sit in their seats and were standing pitch side behind giant netting or standing on the steps. Blocking all of the exits from the stand. One unfortunate young boy was flung in the air by United fans, catching him with a giant flag.
Just as the match began, one fan decided to drop his pants and urinate on the seat next to an elderly couple. Encouraged by his thuggish mates, he was seemingly proud of his achievement. Needless to say the elderly couple were horrified. Half an hour later he repeated this loutish action but was caught on camera by the couple this time so may receive some punishment.
I have respect for fans that travel abroad to support their clubs in away fixtures in Europe, especially in the current economic climate. However I have to question their motives. Is it through the want of seeing some great football or just an expensive trip to get drunk with mates?
The seating arrangements in the stadium were such that the hardcore Inter fans were seated above Manchester United supporters! I can only gather that the Inter Milan hierarchy decided it was the better of the two evils, maybe due to English fans enjoying a notorious name as hooligans. Security on entering the stadium was tight. Pockets emptied, bags searched and a thorough going over by the stewards. So how can Inter fans still manage to smuggle in flares?
As I waited with the other Manchester United fans to leave the stadium after the game, the tier with the Inter fans above us emptied out. The United fans were taunting the Italians with rude gestures and chants. They reacted by throwing a banger unbeknown to me. It went off on my foot. The end of my trousers were smoldering alight. Batting out the few sparks, I noticed my leg was cut. The stewards and medical staff were helpful. Undoubtedly my ability to speak Italian helped me appear genuinely hurt. The worrying matter is there was elderly couple in front of me. If they had been hit in the head the consequences could have been far worse. I have contacted Manchester United, Inter Milan and UEFA complaining, with only the English club replying.
It just begs the question is a supporter not able to go to a football game with the knowledge that their safety isn't at risk. I have been to many Italian games this year. Only minor incidents have made me fearful. But with the aggressive atmosphere of the San Siro, the drunken status of the majority of away fans and the presence of violent ultras I was deeply worried.
It's a sensation I never want to feel again. Of course there will be chants, many abusive, and fans do get aggressive. It's all part of the 'beautiful game'. But on Tuesday night, it felt like the stewards had no control over the fans and their actions. Inexcusable. If this were the case at every away game in Europe, I'd prefer to stay at home and watch the football on my television in comfort.
