After the pain of the Derby della Capitale had finally started to ease—thanks in no small part to the enjoyable away win in Genoa—I was genuinely excited heading into the Torino game.
This match had a few extra storylines too: the return of Mister Marco Baroni, who’d left Lazio in the summer after we narrowly missed out on European qualification.
He’d always come across as a decent man, but things just hadn’t clicked, and his new adventure at Torino hadn’t started smoothly—aside from, ironically, beating Roma. Many felt his job was on the line, and another defeat could spell the end.
Adding to the anticipation, this fixture was set for a Saturday 3pm kick-off—something that feels almost nostalgic these days in Serie A.
It meant not only a traditional matchday atmosphere but also the rare luxury of doing the train trip there and back in a single day. Everything was set up perfectly for an enjoyable afternoon of football.
Journey Down
I had been a little worried about getting to and from Rome. The previous day had seen huge protests in the capital, and another was expected on Saturday afternoon.
These demonstrations— which I fully respect and support—had caused strikes and major transport disruption across the city, so I was bracing myself for delays.
When I arrived at Santa Maria Novella, the station was bustling but, to my relief, most trains were running on time—especially the fast ones.
After all the chaos of the past two days, it wasn’t a shock to find my carriage completely full. Still, the journey down went smoothly, and before long I was back in Rome.
First stop, as always: the famous porchetta place! I couldn’t resist sharing a picture of my sandwich in my fantasy football group (where, admittedly, I’m struggling yet again this season).
One of my friends replied saying it looked like the driest sandwich they’d ever seen—but I couldn’t have disagreed more. It was absolutely delicious!
Walk Around Rome
I arrived nice and early, so instead of diving straight onto public transport, I decided to enjoy a relaxed walk through the city. Rome is always best explored on foot, especially when the weather cooperates.
I followed my usual route—down Via Nazionale to Piazza Barberini, then up to the top of the Spanish Steps for that classic view before heading down and strolling across to Piazza del Popolo.
It’s a walk I never get tired of; there’s something about the mix of history, chaos, and beauty in Rome that makes even a routine route feel special.
From there, I hopped on tram 2—though it seems that, like much of Rome’s public transport network, it’s due to be out of action for the next couple of months.
To be fair, the last time I took tram 2 it moved so slowly that walking might still be the faster option!
Ponte Milvio
First stop, naturally, was a beer! I popped into Altre Chiostre and, to my surprise, found myself standing right next to Massimiliano. After a quick “ciao,” I joined Lids, Simone, and the rest of the crew for a catch-up before heading off to meet Silvia and Stefano.
Stefano was both surprised and not surprised to see me already holding a beer—some things never change! We enjoyed a couple of drinks in the sun before grabbing some pizza from Il Gianfornaio – Ponte Milvio. While there, I bumped into Elga, one of the Tuscan Lazio fans, and promised I’d see her inside the stadium.
After one last beer and some snacks, we made our way toward the Olimpico. As we passed through the turnstiles, I was amused to see that Silvia and Stefano had managed to bring their beers in, while I’d dutifully finished mine outside.
Apparently, it’s fine to bring drinks through as long as they’re not in bottles—or at least don’t have the bottle tops!
Before we split up for our respective Curva entrances, Silvia mentioned that she and Stefano always meet for a half-time drink and invited me to join them. Naturally, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!
Pre-Match Announcement
In the build-up to kick-off, the Lazio Ultras had announced that there would be no singing for the first 15 minutes of the game as part of a coordinated protest. And while that was technically true—there were no Lazio chants of support—the Curva was far from silent. Instead, it echoed with songs and messages directed squarely at club president Claudio Lotito.
Before the match, the Ultras moved around the Curva distributing banners for the protest. Then, as soon as the agreed signal came, thousands of fans lifted them high in unison—“Lotito Vattene” signs everywhere. The phrase roughly translates to “Lotito, go away” or “Lotito, get out,” a clear demand for the president to step down after years of frustration with his management.
During those opening minutes, the Curva Nord rang out with angry chants of “Lotito, Lotito, vaffanculo!”—a phrase that leaves no room for interpretation. It’s a blunt, vulgar message of defiance meaning “Lotito, f*** off,” expressing the deep discontent many fans feel.
Despite the hostility, Lotito himself seems unfazed; he’s even been spotted pretending to conduct the crowd as they sing insults about him.
Lazio fans continue to call for him to sell the club, but he’s made it clear he has no intention of doing so—insisting the team will eventually pass to his son, Enrico.
The Game
This week I returned to my usual spot at the top of the Curva with the Tuscan Lazio fans, right next to the No Bullshit group.
While I’d loved being in the heart of the Curva for the derby, it was great to be back among friendly, familiar faces — a calmer, more enjoyable atmosphere after all the recent tension.
What followed was a wild afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico, as Lazio and Torino played out a thrilling 3–3 draw that had everything — goals, controversy, and flashes of individual brilliance. Lazio started brightly and went into half-time with a deserved lead, having looked the better side throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Matteo Cancellieri was electric from the first whistle, tormenting the Torino defence with his pace, confidence, and direct running. His clever movement and sharp finishing gave Lazio real momentum — easily one of his standout performances in a Biancocelesti shirt.
At half-time, I headed down to meet Silvia and Stefano. Unsure if I was in the right place, I was relieved when Stefano appeared, asking if I’d seen Silvia — who, as always, wasn’t far behind. Seconds later, she turned up, beers in hand, ready for our half-time ritual.
It made me smile — at Ponte Milvio you see fans tossing rubbish on the ground, but near the Curva bar, everyone was neatly using the bins. Silvia and Stefano laughed, saying the difference was simple: “Here, there are actually bins!”
In midfield, Toma Bašić put in a superb performance — energetic, composed, and constantly linking play between defence and attack. When he was subbed late on, the Curva Nord rose to applaud him, a well-earned recognition of his work rate and influence.
But, as has too often been the case this season, Lazio’s defensive fragility came back to haunt them. Torino capitalised on errors at the back to turn the game on its head, and by the closing stages, it looked like another painful defeat was on the cards.
Then, deep into stoppage time, came the drama — Noslin was brought down in the box, and after a tense VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot. With the very last kick of the game, Danilo Cataldi stepped up and coolly converted, sparking an explosion of relief and joy around the Olimpico.
When the final whistle blew moments later, it was hard to know how to feel — relief at salvaging a draw, or frustration at letting a win slip away. Either way, it had been an emotional rollercoaster of a game — and at least Mister Baroni’s job at Torino was safe for another week.
Post-Match
On my way out — via my traditional toilet stop — I bumped into Nico and his friends, who told me to join them for the next game if I fancied it. It was a kind offer, and one I definitely hope to take up next time.
After such a dramatic match, I wasn’t feeling particularly sociable, but I did stop to see Lidia, Eva, and a couple of others for a quick chat. I was also happy to bump into Nicolò and his friend — I hadn’t seen them since the Lecce defeat — so it was nice to catch up, even briefly, before everyone went their separate ways.
I decided to make my way back to Termini and grab a quick snack along the way. Thankfully, getting into the station wasn’t an issue, though the heavy security and one-gate entry system were still in place due to the earlier pro-Gaza demonstration — much like after the Derby.
I noticed the Termini metro stop had also been closed for security reasons, adding to the sense of tension around the city.
Luckily, my train departed on time, and by around 10 p.m., I was back in Florence — tired, but grateful for another memorable (and slightly exhausting) Lazio day.
The Matchday Experience
- Stadium: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
- Attendance: 36,000
- Ticket Price: N/A (home game)
- Train Fare: €36
- Beer-o-Meter: €5 for two beers inside the stadium — nothing exceptional, but at least they were on tap rather than bottled. Around Ponte Milvio, I stopped at my usual spots, paying €6 for an IPA and €4 for a Ceres from the kiosk outside Roma Beer Company.
- Food: €6 for a delicious porchetta roll and €3.50 for a Peroni — a classic Roman combo that never disappoints.
- Waiting Time to Leave the Stadium: N/A (home game)
A lively Saturday afternoon at the Olimpico, full of atmosphere, drama, and good company. The food and drink hit the spot, the journey went smoothly, and while the result left mixed emotions, it was another memorable day following Lazio.
Even with the frustration of dropped points, the sunshine, the friends, and the late Cataldi equaliser made it a classic matchday experience — one that perfectly captured the ups and downs of being a Lazio fan.
Conclusion
After the chaos of the Derby and the high of Genoa, this match against Torino felt like another chapter in Lazio’s unpredictable season — full of emotion, drama, and that familiar mix of joy and frustration. It wasn’t the result most of us had hoped for, but the late penalty from Cataldi ensured we didn’t leave empty-handed and gave the Olimpico one final moment to erupt.
Now comes the international break — a much-needed pause before two very tough fixtures: Atalanta away and Juventus at home. With a depleted squad and fatigue beginning to show, Baroni will be hoping the break gives the team a chance to reset, recover, and regroup.
The journey, as always, was part of the adventure — from the early-morning train and pre-match beers at Ponte Milvio to the Curva’s protest and the last-gasp celebrations.
Even with all the tension surrounding the club and the uncertainty about what comes next, following Lazio still feels special. It’s these kinds of days — the chaos, the camaraderie, and the moments of magic amid the madness — that remind me why I keep coming back.
