There are two great religious institutions in Italy. The Vatican looms large over the rooftops of Naples and Milan as much as it does over those of Rome, and its influence and hold over Italian cultural life is evident. Yet there is another pillar of society to which Italians flock with religious fervour - sport. Its cathedrals are the concrete and tarmac of the Stadio Olimpico, the San Siro, the Stadio Flaminio, the San Paolo and Monza. Its churches and shrines are the football and rugby pitches, the Alpine and Apennine roads, the swimming pools and tennis courts of city and countryside where thousands congregate each weekend to demonstrate their faith. Sport is the beating heart that pushes passion and fire through the veins of Italian popular society. In this edition, Matt Coombe gives a first-hand account of what stepping into the cauldron that is Napoli’s San Paolo stadium is like, the sensory assault of the visceral home support leaving a permanent impression his year in Naples. Ryan Lucidi gives an update of the Serie A season, while we round off with a look at the decision to float Ferrari on the US Stock Market and what the implications for the F1 team and the brand are. I hope you enjoy this first sporting contribution to La Civetta this year and stay posted for more of the same in the coming months!
Rob Cole
Sports Editor