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Genova’s Communale stadium first opened on the 22nd of January 1911 with a friendly match between Internazionale and Genoa who at the time who were the only football club in the city. Founded in the 19th century as a Cricket and Athletics club to represent Britain abroad, the sports club eventually developed a Football Team in 1897 and became one of the first Association Football Teams in the Peninsula. Eventually adopting the colours of the Union Jack – Red and Blue, I Rossoblu, Italians were not permitted to join until the creation of the Italian Football Federation and the Football League in 1898. With Genoa’s origins it would perhaps be fitting that their Stadium would be regarded amongst the most English in the country. However it wasn’t until it was completely demolished and rebuilt from the ground up for the 1990 World Cup that Stadio Marassi became what we would describe today as a purpose built football stadium. Upon opening it had a capacity of just 20,000 and although it was expanded slightly to host a quarter final of the 1934 World Cup it remained spartan in appearance until the 1990s particularly due to its lack of roof. One of the most successful stadiums of the tournament, Stadio Luigi Ferraris directly inspired Preston North End’s plans to redevelop their Deepdale Stadium. Starting in 1995 and finishing in 2008, each stand was individually demolished and rebuilt with the most notable element borrowed from The Marassi being the iconic tower roof supports on each corner of the pitch. To this day it continues to host International fixtures with an infamous Euro 2012 qualification match between Italy and Serbia abandoned in October 2010 after the visiting supporters threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch. Stopped after just six minutes of play due to crowd trouble, succesful International matches have since been held at Luigi Ferraris.

DRIVING The address for satnav is as follows: Stadio Communale Luigi Ferraris, Via Giovanni de Prà, 1, 16139 Genova, Italy Car Parks When it comes to Parking your vehicle you are advised not to park in the Marassi neighbourhood as there is residential parking only (ZSL), and you need a permit if you want to stay beyond a few hours. Instead both club websites recommend that you park at or around Brignole Metro station for the most convenience. TRAIN The main train station which connects the city to the rest of the country is the Genova Principe train station which is 3.5 kilometres away from the stadium, a distance which is too far away for an enjoyable walk due to the hilly terrain Instead it is advised that you take a train east from Genova Principe to Genova Brignole railway station which then leaves you with a more manageable 20 minute walk. Unlike the metro below it is one stop and much quicker, however there are less trains per hour so its a bit of a trade off. METRO The closest stop is Brignole Metro station which is located at the same place as the aforementioned railway station. Depending on your starting location it might make more sense to catch the metro but realistically you can catch either. BUS From Genova Brignole Station there are numerous matchday buses such as the 480 or 482 which can take you to the stadium for a few euros. The bus routes snakes along the curve of the river and saves your legs the discomfort of walking up the steep Genoan inclines. Alternative to the Train/Bus combo from Brignole, you can just get the bus (12 or 13) from San Giorgio metro station which is towards the right handside of the Porto Antico di Genova aka the historic harbour. Lastly on matchdays you can also hop on a special bus services which runs from Caricamento (CM), Piazzale Kennedy (KM and 47), and Principe train station (SM). AIRPORTS Genoa is served by Aeroporto di Genova which is 4.6 miles west of the city centre. Also referred to as Cristoforo Colombo Airport after the world famous explorer and local resident, you can travel into the city either by the Volabus or by train taking no longer than 20 minutes.