My name is Matthew (Matt) Elias and I am 25 years old. I am a teacher in my home town, but my greatest passions are travelling, football, talking about football, thinking about football, and, oh yes – football…I love to travel to different countries and cities around the world, and experience the local culture, people and passions. So, when my wife and I decided to travel to Naples and Sorrento to see the Amalfi Coast I knew what the greatest passion of all to see was – the football! I love to visit the famous stadiums of Europe and reminisce about old players and moments, and to think that I could visit the stadium of ‘el Diego’ was a big wish of mine. For weeks and weeks I tried to find out how I could visit the Stadio San Paolo, but I could not find any information on the internet about a tour of the stadium or a game while we were on holiday, so I was disappointed – I even thought about travelling to the stadium and paying a security guard money just for one or two photos inside. But then I found out about the game with Bilbao – great! A big game, a champions league qualifier – a chance to not only see the stadium but to experience the atmosphere that I had heard about – the fans, the passion, the determination to fight and win! I looked and tried for days to try and find a ticket, and then I met Toni – Tonino Aiello – a very kind man from the hotel I was staying in in Piano di Sorrento – YES! I did not know of Toni’s love for football or Napoli, but after asking him if I could watch a Chelsea match on the television in the hotel, we spoke, we talked about our love for our teams, and we became friends. I discovered that Toni was going to the Bilbao game, so that night (the night before the match) I decided to ask him if he could help me to get a ticket in any way – and he did – I could not have been happier – the perfect way to end my trip to the beautiful Amalfi Coast! He had been able to find me two tickets right in the middle of the pitch – fantastico! Game day arrived and Toni had arranged for us to travel with him and his friends to the game. Before leaving we were given a Napoli scarf and straight away I felt like a part of the family – a football family – a family which makes every fan’s experiences complete! On the way to the stadium we dashed through the crazy Neapolitan traffic, which was like a sea of blue – Vespa’s with the team’s famous ‘N’ all over them, shirts, flags and scarves…the noise, the atmosphere, the true love of one team. On arrival I could not believe that so many fans had arrived at the ground so early. In England you go to the pub and walk to the ground without worrying if you are late, but here the Neapolitans were ready – as if ready for a battle, and in their armour of blue shirts! I love the old feeling of the Italian and Spanish stadiums – almost like a trip back in time in history for a modern fan watching football in England. Inside the atmosphere grew, the whistles greeted the Bilbao players onto the field and the cries of their fans – what a hostile environment for a visiting team! The Napoli players were greeted onto the pitch like gladiators and throughout it really felt like they were representing not only their team, but the honour of the people and city. During the game each attack was greeted with anticipation, people on the edges of their seats, roars of frustration…every emotion was displayed by the home fans. In Britain we say that when people show their emotions in this way they ‘wear their hearts on their sleeves’ – for everyone to see – this is how best to describe the passion of these fans. I was taken by the atmosphere – I felt like one of them. I was excited by each attack, and wanted to see a goal so badly. I looked at Toni behind me, who was with his friends, and all I could say was thank you. I felt very privileged to be in that seat – to see and feel the passion, to hear and sense the desperation in the cries of the fans around me. Yes, we are passionate fans in England – as are all fans, but this felt like it meant more. Toni told me of how the result of a Napoli game made his week a happy one or a sad one, but I think he really meant to say a ‘fantastic week’ or a ‘depressing week’…after a good start by Napoli, Bilbao started to take control of the game and looked fit and strong. You could feel the tension in the stadium and the pressure that the players must have felt with every bad pass or opportunity missed. Bilbao scored, and then – silence. In the second half of the game Napoli showed more fight, kept the ball better, and gave the fans the drive and determination that they desired. The fabulous solo goal by Higuain was greeted by the biggest of cheers and by the relief of all those around me. It was a pleasure to visit the San Paolo, and I know I must return again. After the game I wrote on my facebook page that “only in football could you meet a person, make friends with them in two days and go to watch a match together”, and this is why football is the greatest sport in the world today. It is a game that brings people together, it is a language between foreigners, and it is a passion that is shared without thinking about the colour of your shirt. Napoli may only have the names of Higuain and Hamsik, and not the millions of Chelsea, City, PSG and the rest, but what they do have is a family – a family of passionate people who expect heart, passion and fight more than anything from the players who represent them. It must be a wonderful feeling to be loved by these people, and to play in this stadium must be a thrill for any player – if only they had the money! I thank Toni and his friends for providing me with this fantastic opportunity and for making me feel like part of their blue family. I will now always look for their results, and I wish them every success for the season ahead. FORZA NAPOLI!!!!!!
Matt Elias
