S.P.A.L 1 V PARMA 0 - STADIO PAULO MAZZA - SERIE A - 5th OCTOBER 2019

Getting there - S.P.AL in the cracking little city of Ferrara, is 30 minute train ride from Bologna. Stadio Paulo Mazza is more of less halfway between the station and the attractive city so count on a 10 minute walk if heading to the stadium direct from the station. Id certainly recommend arriving early and heading into the city,  Ferrara is  a world heritage site and you wont be disappointed in having a few beers around some of the main and side street bars and restaurants. 

Getting in - At the time of this match versus Parma they were hovering just above the Serie A relegation zone. Tickets were not difficult to get via Vivaticket in the section behind the goal and opposite the packed out ultras terrace.  

What its like - SPAL =  Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor (Society of Art and Work) 

The atmosphere is great at S.P.A.L, especially when they are 1-0 up, down to 10 men and beating a local rival. This was my first Italian game and was meant to be an added game to the following days Inter v Juventus game but i enjoyed this much more.  Paulo Mazza  is  pretty modern and unlike many Italian arenas, has  four box type stands around  the pitch. Id almost say, a very British like stadium. 

For this season they had Napoli striker Petagna on loan and he scored what turned out to be the winner in the 1st half and despite losing a man to a sending off in the second half, they held on for a win. This didn't help them in the long run though and they got relegated that season and have been carrying on the poor form ever since going through the B trap door pretty quickly too.  What a shame as its a cracking little city, stadium and supporters. I returned a few months later for their loss to Sassuolo and it wont be the last visit.