Curva, Tifosi & the Matchday Experience

Italian football doesn’t start at kickoff, it starts in the streets, the bars, the chants, and the Curva.

In Episode 1 of The FORZA CALCIO Podcast, I am joined by Scott and Christian as we dive into the heart of calcio culture: the Curva, the tifosi, and what matchday truly feels like in Italy. From the build-up before the game to the noise, colour, tension, and emotion inside the stadium, this episode is about the people who give Italian football its soul.

We talk about:• The role of the curva in Italian football culture• The positives and negatives of fan culture in Italy• Chants, banners, rituals, and unwritten rules• How the matchday experience in Italy differs from everywhere else

This is one of those conversations that dives into fan culture in Italy, giving firsthand experience of the ups and downs of following your team in the country from those who do it regularly, so whether you’re a casual calcio fan or you’re like me, a diehard calcio aficionado, you’re going to want to stick around.

▶️ Listen on Apple Podcasts▶️ Listen on Spotify

🔗 Links & Promos

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🤝 Support the guests

Scott Balaam, founder of Tibbs News and Calcio Amore▶️ https://www.tibsnews.co.uk▶️ https://www.tibsnews.co.uk/category/calcio-amore/domenica-bastardi/▶️ https://x.com/scottbalaam▶️ https://www.instagram.com/scottbalaam/

Christian Waugh, former sports journalist and goalkeeper coach at Lago Patria FC▶️ https://www.instagram.com/christianwaughh/

New episodes coming soon.🇮🇹⚽ FORZA CALCIO

Welcome to The FORZA CALCIO Podcast, the home of Italian football, its stories, its drama, and its soul.

If you love calcio, not just the goals, but the tactics, the culture, the chaos, the history, you’re in the right place.

I’m Luke, and this podcast is an extension of FORZA CALCIO, the newsletter built for people who live and breathe Italian football, from Serie A title races and tactical battles, to legendary clubs, iconic players, and the moments that define the game in Italy.

So what is The FORZA CALCIO Podcast?

This is where we go deeper.

Each episode, we’ll explore:

• The biggest stories in Italian football

• Tactical breakdowns and trends shaping Italian football

• Club histories and rivalries

• Players past, present, and future

• Fan stories and moments from on the ground in Italian curvas

• And the cultural side of calcio, why it feels different, why it is different

This isn’t hot-take football content. It’s thoughtful, informed, and passionate, just like the Italian game deserves.