With A.S. Roma, a top tier Italian club, playing against my personal favorite, Bayern Munich, in the world's most prestigious tournament, the Champions League, I immediately knew this was an opportunity I couldn't afford to miss without painfully regretting it.
To be able to watch my favorite team, along with the ability to attend one of wickedest tournaments was something I'd only dream out.
I booked my tickets a month in advanced and anticipated the showcase event. I followed the development of the players, trying to figure players would be available to play. It turned out key players such as Robben and Schweinsteiger were unavailable to play. Oh well, at least many other exciting players would still able to play, including a return for the majestic Francesco Totti and French winger, Frank Ribery.
As November 23rd arrived, I jetted straight to the train station after class dismissed. I took the first ride to Rome and arrived well in advanced for the football match.
I checked into my hotel and began to march forth towards the most cherished stadium in all of Italia, the Stadio Olimpico.
As I tried to figure the best possible method to arrive at the stadium, I soon found it much easier to follow the many Roma fans also hiking to the stadium. Oddly enough, they hopped onto a bus which had many Bayern Munich supporters chanting in the back. The German banter, along with the Italian response was a unique experience. I doubt the Italians knew what their enemies were saying, along with the Germans having no clue to what vulgar responses the Italian threw in return. It turned out be quite a eventful bus ride.
Soon, as the bus inched closer the stadium, the roads became ridiculously congested, filled with numerous cars, buses, and countless supporters from both sides. When we arrived at our stop, just outside the stadium, the entire bus exited with much haste.
As I observed the Stadio Olimpico from the exterior, I could only imagine the excitement and pure bliss that the stadium held within.
As I made my way to the entrance, I noticed all the Bayern Munich fans being escorted by a police patrol to their side of the stadium. The Roma ultra (the most violent breed of Roma fans) are considered the most violent supporters in the world and have been numerously lambasted for their excessive violence towards opposing supporters. This escort was mandatory for any German traveling to the game.
I scanned my cherished ticket in the metallic bar code scanner and was green-lighted for admittance.
As I passed the first check point, I was immediately stopped by a wall of security personnel.
They were checking people's bags. I had a water bottle that I was forced to discard. Too bad because I actually liked that bottle, It was the sports type one. :(
Moving forth, I was presented with a plethora of football merchandising stands, selling an array of football gear. I picked up a rather awesome scarf that detailed the place, teams, and time the forthcoming game was taking place in. Very personalized and specific for this game.
I finally came to the stadium. Finding my section in the stadium, I began to climb the steps to the enter the famed arena. As I reached my section and stepped out, I was floored by overwhelming landscape before me.
The Stadio Olimpico was gigantic, expansive, and full of life. The Roma-ultra were roaring, chanting, and pumping the stadium with excitement. Across in the corner, were the Munich supporters, isolated from everyone else. They too were chanting, trying to drown out the overwhelming clamor from the Roma supporters. It wasn't working.
As I found my specific seat, I spent the next 10 minutes taking in the breathtaking atmosphere of the forthcoming game. It was full of excitement, adrenaline, and joyous anticipation.
Many sponsors were on display, including SONY with their PS3 line:
I also sipped on a Cola Red Bull as I anticipated the colossal clash:
Soon the timer ticked down, and with it, the two decorated teams entered onto the pitch. Many of the great players were on hand, warming up. Players like Totti, Lahm, De Rossi, and were Muller were all going to perform before my very eyes. The feeling was surreal.
The importance of this game was paramount for Roma. To put it in perspective, if Roma were to lose this match, they would be out of the entire tournament. Bayern Munich have already advanced, so for them, winning is only a matter of pride.
While Bayern Munich is my number one side, I chose to support Roma in this particular match for a couple of reasons. One, I was in Rome's home stadium, everyone around me had such enthusiasm for their home team I felt somewhat inspired. And also, Roma needs this win much more than Munich.
The players lined up once more, this time for the classic Champions League anthem:
And as the whistle soon blew, the game officially commenced.
The first half was ridiculously disappointing for Roma. Awesome skill, movement, and vision was apparent in the Munich side, but with nothing to been seen from the Giallorossi. Munich dominated as if they it was they're playing on home turf.
By the time the first half came to a close, Munich were up by 2 goals from Mario Gomez, silencing the Stadio Olimpico. As everybody took their breaks, a variety of condescending comments and responses rightfully flew from the Roma supporters. AS Roma had everything to play for, yet it seemed as if they just weren't interested.
As the second half whistle blew, the Roma supporters anticipated a positive response to the ridiculous poor first half.
With furious might, vigor, and passion that would inspire a country, Roma fought back, tooth and nail to climb 2-2 against Munich. It was spectacular work from Borriello, De Rossi, Vucinic, and Menez. Wondrous coordination with beautiful teamwork helped lift Roma from their depressing state.
The Roma supporters were roaring with enthusiasm and excitement, for their team had literally changed the landscape of the game. During the course of the second half, the pinnacle of Roman football, Francesco Totti was subbed into the enthralling game.
Oddly enough, a Munich supporter was randomly seen observing from the Roman side.
She received much ill attention from the Roma supporters, but she didn't seem to take much heed.
As the game entered into the final minutes, the stadium grew in reluctant anticipation. Roma needed one more goal, but with little time left, would it be possible?
Vucinic sped down left wing, skipped passed his opponent and furiously maneuvered towards the goal. At the crucial moment, Thomas Kraft slid in and had both Vucinic and the ball cut out. The referee blew the whistle and awarded Roma with a penalty!
The unanimous roar of utter bliss and relief echoed throughout the stadium. This was Roma's moment. It was now, or never.
Il captiano, Francesco Totti stepped up to take the nerve-wracking penalty. I cannot emphasize enough how nervous, scared, and utterly absorbed by the game we all were at this point.
This was it, it all came down to this.
Here's the madness, as it unfolded:
Champions League Penalty
I found myself high-fiving random supporters I didn't knew as I screamed in unison with the deafening howls of joyous wonder, excitement, and pure exuberation.
The game continued on this high octane pace to the final whistle, which afterwards, the entire stadium tore the house down with endless reverberation of true happiness.
Although they looked utterly defeated by the end of the first half, A.S. Roma had shined in the latter half. This is the power of supporting and truly believing against such incalculable odds.
A.S. Roma had done it, we had done...
As I left with my Roman brethren from the stadium, a touching sense of companionship became apparent. Many supporters were buying the scarf I'd purchased earlier, in order to remember the cherished experience. Interestingly enough, the vendors had doubled the price after the colossal win. Great marketing work...
As I boarded the bus packed with my fellow Roma fans chanting, singing, and relishing in the joyous moment, I took some time to reflect on what I had experienced. While this Champions League game was not my first football match (thanks Liverpool!), the significance and importance of this particular game is unparalleled.
Being able to live the exhilarating experience of such a beautiful comeback with the home supporters, is something that can never be replicated. It's one thing enjoying a game thousands of miles away on a HD screen, but an entirely affair, actually living the experience. This adventure I will recollect as I watch future football matches and reminiscent on how thrilling and unifying the football experience can be.
This night was another sublime episode in the adventures of my ever-wondrous European voyage.
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