Ranking Serie A’s top 5 biggest rivalries | OneFootball

Italian football has long been synonymous with passion, tradition, and fierce rivalries. Serie A, the pinnacle of Italian football, boasts some of the most storied and intense rivalries in the world.

Whether you’re streaming or buying football tickets to watch in-person, these matches transcend mere competition, often reflecting cultural, regional, and historical tensions. Let’s tour across Italy’s top flight and discover the games that made the cut.

Derby della Madonnina: AC Milan vs. Inter

The Derby della Madonnina is arguably the most famous of all Italian derbies. Named after the statue of the Virgin Mary that sits atop Milan’s Duomo, this derby pits two of the country’s most successful clubs against each other: AC Milan and Inter Milan. Historically, the divide between these clubs was not just about football. AC Milan was traditionally seen as the team of the working class, while the Nerazzurri, formed as a breakaway club, became the team associated with the city’s elite and internationalism. Today, the distinction between the two clubs’ fan bases is less rigid, but the rivalry remains fierce. The derby is about more than bragging rights; it symbolizes the cultural and socio-economic contrasts within the city of Milan itself.

Derby della Capitale: AS Roma vs. Lazio

The Derby della Capitale is the most intense and emotionally charged rivalry in Italian football. Rome’s two major clubs, AS Roma and Lazio, reflect a historical and political divide within the city. Lazio, founded in 1900, originally attracted fans from the more affluent northern districts of Rome, while AS Roma, established in 1927, has traditionally represented the working-class southern neighborhoods. Beyond the geographical split, the rivalry has political undertones, with Lazio historically associated with right-wing groups and AS Roma often linked to more left-leaning supporters. While football is the central focus, the derby carries layers of socio-political meaning, turning every match into a high-stakes cultural confrontation.

Derby d’Italia: Juventus vs. Inter

The Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter is not a local derby, but a national one. It is a rivalry that transcends city borders, involving two of Italy’s most storied and successful clubs. Juventus, from Turin, is historically seen as the club of the Italian elite, with a vast national following that stretches beyond the city. Inter Milan, representing Italy’s financial hub, is seen as the face of Northern Italy. The rivalry reached its peak in the mid-2000s with the Calciopoli scandal in 2006—which saw Juventus relegated and the Nerazzurri handed a league title. The animosity between the clubs has only intensified since then, with this match now symbolizing a clash between two of Italy’s most powerful football institutions.

Derby della Mole: Juventus vs. Torino

The Derby della Mole, named after the Mole Antonelliana (the symbol of the city of Turin), is a battle of contrasts. The most successful and wealthiest club in Italy, Juventus, often nicknamed “La Vecchia Signora” (The Old Lady), is associated with success and the Agnelli family’s industrial might. Torino, on the other hand, is viewed as the club of the people, representing the working-class spirit of Turin. This derby is about more than football; it’s about a city divided between the power of Juventus and the underdog spirit of Torino. The memory of Torino’s “Grande Torino” team of the 1940s, which tragically perished in the Superga air disaster, adds another emotional layer to the rivalry.

Derby della Lanterna: Sampdoria vs. Genoa

Named after the Lanterna, the lighthouse that is the symbol of the city of Genoa, the Derby della Lanterna is one of Italy’s most underrated rivalries. The clash between Sampdoria and Genoa is a classic example of the old guard versus the new. Genoa CFC, founded in 1893, is the oldest club in Italian football and prides itself on its rich history. Sampdoria, created in 1946 from a merger of two clubs, has often been seen as the newer, more glamorous club. The derby reflects the competition between tradition and modernity, with both sets of fans bringing intense passion to each encounter.