AC MONZA 1 v ATALANTA 2 - U POWER - SERIE A - 21/04/24
Getting there, getting in and what its like
Getting there
A Sunday 8.45 kick off was always going to present some travel challenges following a trip to Turin that afternoon. The difficulties were only added to with a lost phone thrown into the mix (see Torino), used that morning to pre book a swift Uber return back to Milan after the game.
Monza play at the U Power stadium (Stadio Brianteo) on the outskirts of the city in what appeared to be a trading estate. Its 18km from the centre of Milan and the nearest train station is Monza Sabborghi. However, there were no trains stopping pre or post match at Sabborghi for this unsocial hour match. A little further away is the main Monza station and about a 3km walk through not the most pleasant parts of the city. The phone shenanigans delayed our arrival and a fairly swift pre match walk to the ground meant an arrival just after kick off. As it was chilly and rain expected, i got fleeced for a suitably fleece lined 25 euro red and white bobble hat that may never see the light again but it was the only one on offer. It did however keep me warm and head dry from the elements. Monza's stadium, Tribuna Gold Stand apart, is uncovered.
Getting in.
Tickets sourced via a link on their site to Vivaticket, 30 Euro for the Tribuna Est stand running along the side of the pitch. Atalanta Ultras to the right of our seats making a good noise throughout, and Monza Ultras to our left. The latter totally silent for exactly 30 minutes of the game, and who then broke into chants to the applause of the home fans around us. Maybe some protest going on there. Ticket prices too high, team performance needs to be better, bobble hats too expensive…..?
Once inside, there are merchandise stalls with more 25 Euro Bobble hats and a refreshment area selling beer and very good focaccia paninos / salami baguettes. My beer and focaccia went down well stood at the back of the stand sheltering from the wind.
What its like.
A good entertaining open game, Atalanta fresh from beating Liverpool in the Europa League, were the superior side and deservedly went 2-0 up with a goal in each half. Monza had their moments and might have got more from the tie with a little better finishing and their 89th minute goal didn't really set up the grand stand finish but it did delay our departure with an eye on the train times.
Deliberations over the return trip continued throughout the game. The uber idea was canned because we wouldn't know the car or registration to look for, and we settled on an even brisker walk than we had managed on arrival back to the station for the 23.12 train to Milan. The walk turned into a last 1km jog when we noted the 23.34 last train of the night, had been cancelled and would be cutting it fine even for the earlier one. Other football trippers we had overtaken on the way, clocked and on to that news also and a small jogging club formed through the dodgy parts and parks of Monza. Quite a few sweaty footy fans ended up at platform 5.
AC Monza, definitely worth a visit if in Milan, but definitely put some thought into how to get there and back for the later KO times.
