DAY one in Rome.
For all the buildup to Liverpool’s semi final second leg, it would be easy to worry about the worst-case scenario that potentially greeted the 5,000 Reds who will be descending on the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
By contrast, what we have found so far on arrival in Rome is that there are a majority who inhabit Italy’s capital city who are looking forward to welcoming Liverpool supporters with open arms — though the hospitality for us so far has exceeded even our wildest expectations.
We arrived at Rome airport to be greeted by a fella called Angelo, who had been in contact with The Anfield Wrap’s Gareth Roberts to organise the collection of some precious artwork from 1984 which Rome’s council wanted to be passed on to Sean Cox as a show of respect between the two supporter bases.
Angelo had agreed to drive us from the airport back to the hostel we’d be staying in for the next two nights and the ever-rising number of people who needed ferrying seemed to be no trouble to him. Little did we know our newest Italian friend had organised for the city’s park rangers to come and collect us in their regulation jeeps.
It was a greeting fit for somebody of mayoral status, never mind a few lads (and lady) over for a game of football.
From there, Angelo would take us for pizza and Peronis, where we discussed Roma’s relationship with city rivals Lazio — finding more similarities with our own blue brothers than we expected.
As Angelo was a Roma fan, with as much of a passion for the city as the football team that resides here, we felt it only right to rope him into doing our European preview show Under The Lights.
While some of the group sloped off in search of ale, the more cultured among us chose to take a tour of Rome at night, led by our new friend — who also just so happened to be an ex tour guide.
When the only previous European aways you can say you’ve been on have both been in Manchester, it’s hard not to fall in love with a city like Rome.
Like Liverpool, it is a city clearly proud of its heritage and — as Angelo put it best on our latest TAW Player release — hopefully supporters on both sides realise in the coming days there is more that unites us than divides us.
For more buildup to Liverpool’s Champions League semi final second leg in Rome, and extensive reaction in the immediate aftermath, SUBSCRIBE to TAW Player…
🇮🇹 Subscribe and listen to our ‘Under The Lights’ show live from Rome 👉 https://t.co/4VArpLdYH2 pic.twitter.com/6xhXpOzS8x
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) 30 April 2018
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Meanwhile, Tony Evans is sat with his shandy-drinking mates at the Evening Standard telling everyone that the Reds in Rome can expect Armageddon if we as much venture into their half of the pitch. I’m not saying that there won’t be trouble, or that fans don’t need to exercise caution, but it’s good to read a positive story for a change by someone who doesn’t still think it’s 1984 and who isn’t obsessed with ‘puncication’.
Evans has been stuck in 1984 mode for weeks.
Respect the city and it’ll be fine. Rome is glorious
How do lot do it?
a) get the tickets in the first place
b) get the time off work
c) afford it
Good luck to you lads… I’m just amazed and envious at your abilities to follow the Reds to the extent that to do..have a memorable trip and come on you mighty Reds
Probably because it’s their actual job
By contrast, what we have found so far on arrival in Rome is that there are a majority who inhabit Italy’s capital city who are looking forward to welcoming Liverpool supporters with open arms — though the hospitality for us so far has exceeded even our wildest expectations.
Fucking hell lad…what did you expect?????
I’m a Red who lives in Rome, so really pleased (but not surprised) to see The Anfield Wrap participating in and reporting on positive interaction between Romans and Scousers.
Tabloid papers need to taken to task over their fear-mongering, click-bate style ‘journalism’. We let them shape our view of the world in so many ways (not just football). This friendship with Angelo is another example of the benefits of experiencing the world for yourself.
The Anfield Wrap lads know how to do this; they get themselves out and and about, spread positive vibes (gravy talk excluded obviously) and they enjoy the positivity which comes back their way.
Rome is boss, LFC are boss. I hope absolutely everyone gets home safely tomorrow, with an LFC final secured, of course. Goes without saying.