COMO 2 V FERALPISALO 1 - STADIO SINIGAGLIA - SERIE B 25th NOVEMBER 2023

Como were formed in a pub in 1907 and spent their early years playing friendlies around northern Italy and Switzerland.  After entering competitive football 5 years later they have spent the majority of time since then in the second and third divisions.  They have played in the top division on 14 occasions , intially in 1949-50 and later in the 70;s, 80's and noughties but never having the consistency to stay there for an extended period. They have played at Stadio Sinigaglia since 1928, a stadium built on the orders of Mussolini.

Getting there - Milan to Como is a 40 min,  10 Euro return train ride and another 10 minute walk on arrival at Como San Giovanni train station (note, there are a couple of train stations in Como so get off at the right one). The stadium sits next to Lake Como and whilst i didnt see many bars around, there was one very popular place that was mobbed behind the Ultras section and beside the Sea plane club, next  to the ground.

Getting in - Vivaticket for Como, tickets available about a week or two before but we got these on the Friday night prior to the match for 28 Euro each to sit in the Distinti section opposite the main stand.

What its like - A bit of an odd ground with sections cordoned off and two  huge temporary stands sitting behind the goal housing Como's ultras. I have seen photos going back a few years and those stands have been there a while so maybe not so temporary.  The stadium was built in1927 and has had upgrades on 3 occasions the last being in 2004.  I liked it though. In the Distinti section there was a rare, for what i have seen in Italy,  merchandise stand doing brisk business for the footy tourists, of which there sounded like a few based on the overheard accents.

As for the game itself, it was a pretty dull affair for about an hour. The  sun had started to dip behind the mountains behind the stadium and  the lack of quality on the pitch allowed me to take a few snaps of it (sun) doing so. Como went 1 up early on and then  sat back,  Feralpisalo equalised in the 52nd minute which triggered more urgency and action. 2 sendings off following a sort of player  melee, a disallowed goal in the dying minutes of the 90 and then the winner in the 3rd of 8 minutes added on left the perception of a better game than we had seen.  Good afternoon out though with standing room only on the return train to Milan as we headed to  the 2nd game of the day at the San Siro.