Football inspires passion across the globe, but there are few places where this passion burns quite as bright as it does in Italy. There are more than a few big rivalries in Italy, where hatred burns between teams and fans alike.
Il derby dei Campioni - The Derby of the Champions
The two most decorated clubs in Italian football, AC Milan and Juventus, have one of the fiercest rivalries in the country due to their success and competition. They have faced each other 222 times, the biggest occasion being the Champions League final of 2003, which the 'Rossoneri' clinched on penalties.
Il derby del Sole - The Derby of the Sun
Also known as the Derby of the South, fixtures between Napoli and Roma are seen as the battle to be the best team outside of the richer and more successful northern teams.
Il derby della Madonnina - The Milan Derby
Inter Milan and AC Milan know the true meaning of a rivalry. This derby, which takes its name from the statue of the Virgin Mary situated in the cathedral of Milan, is a clash between the city's two giants. There is a lot to this derby: two hugely successful sides, both holders of a Champions League title, two opposing philosophies, a shared stadium, and a lot of animosity.
Il derby d'Italia - The Derby of Italy
Juventus and Inter Milan divide Italy twice a year. They were the two sides that dominated the first national league in Italy, facing each other for the first time in 1909. From this point onward, the duels, between the two clubs with the biggest historical fanbases in Italy, have been fierce affairs.
Il derby della Lanterna - The Derby of the Lantern
Taking its name from the Torre della Lanterna, Genoa's landmark lighthouse, this derby is a clash between the city's two sides: Genoa and Sampdoria. It is one of the biggest rivalries in the country, and just like in Milan, the two sides share a stadium: the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Il derby della Capitale - The Derby of the Capital
The Rome derby is possibly the most passionate of the lot. Lazio and Roma have maintained an ever-present rivalry since the first clash in 1929. There have been countless fights and violent incidents during the sides' meetings, but the victors in terms of football is Roma, who have won 70 of the 185 fixtures.
Il derby della Mole - The Mole Derby
The 'Mole' in this name refers to the Mole Antonelliana, a major Turin landmark, not the animal. It sees Turin's two big sides, Torino and Juventus battle it out for bragging rights in the city. The rivalry was born out of a fight, after Juventus' first president Alfred Dick was kicked out of his club, subsequently forming Torino. Although Juventus are the bigger club on a national and international level, it is Torino who have more support in the city itself.
Il derby della Scala - The
Also known as the Verona Derby, this game pits Hellas Verano and Chievo Verona against each other. The rarity of the derby adds venom to the occasions when the two do meet. They have only faced each other 18 times, with Chievo's seven victories winning the bragging rights over Hellas' six. The name refers to the Scaligeri aristocratic family, who were rulers of Verona during the Middle Ages.