PRO PATRIA 1 V VIRTUS VERONA 3 - STADIO CARLO SPERONI - SERIE C - 20th APRIL 2024

Getting there

Pro Patria in Serie C are from an outer Milan suburb of Busto Arizio and between Malpensa Airport and the city and visible on the Malpensa Express train line. Our late arriving train from the first game of the day at Brescia meant a re routing of plans and getting a train from Port Garibaldi to Castellanza. Arriving at Castellanza just on KO, we made it in with 10 mins gone in the first half. 

Getting in

Tickets from Vivaticket for 19 Euro in the Distinti stand. The website map of the stadium didn't correspond to where we thought we were going so lost a few minutes getting in by walking to the wrong entrance on the opposite side. 

What its like

Pro Patria (translated For the Fatherland) were once of Serie A but more recently have not reached the heights of the 1950's and have  tumbled down the leagues, out of existence, re formed a couple of times, and returned back to professional ranks in the more recent past. The just under 5000 capacity stadium accommodates the fan base in two covered stands either side of the pitch.  There are additional uncovered areas behind one goal and next to the more modern Distinti stand. One of these holds the Pro Patria Ultras numbering a hundred or so for this game.  Attendance for this mid table saturday night game was about 500 and we wernt expecting much but  sometimes the least expecting can give the most entertainnment and this was entertaining both on and off the pitch. 

Virtus Verona went 2-0 ahead in the first half, one a good volley in off the post from the edge of the area, the other a controversial penalty that had the locals in uproar,  but it did look a bit soft. Half time refreshments were a trestle  table set up in the no mans land between the ultras section and the rest of us but we survived and brought back a beer to enjoy in the stand,  in the sun. The second half was largely all Pro Patria pushing for a way back into the game. Kicking towards our end the players also had to contend with a group of elderly men gathered at the front of the distinti stand who continually walked away throwing their hands up in disgust and frustration at each failed attack, or referee decision they didnt like.  Very enjoyable but we all symathpised. On 80 minutes the old men made no such move when a wonderful 30 yard strike got Pro Patria back in the game.  The hope didn't last long and Virtus scored from a corner a few minutes later to take the 3 points.