Posted on 4th December 2014
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
These FSF guides are intended to offer a quick snapshot of advice and info for fans ahead of their trips to Europe – if you have any specific questions about the city, how to get there, where to stay or anything else then simply email us your questions. Through our extensive network of contacts at Football Supporters Europe and experience of travelling across Europe ourselves, we will be able to answer just about any query you have.
About the Club
AS Roma (full name: Associazione Sportival Roma SpA) have spent their entire history bar one season (1951-52) in the top flight of Italian football. AS Roma were founded in 1927 by the merger of three other clubs from Rome: Roman FC, Alba-Audace Roma and Fortitudo-Pro Roma. The only major Roman club to refuse the merge was Lazio. Roma debuted in Europe in the 1969/70 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. They have twice lost out in UEFA finals – the 1983/84 European Champion Clubs’ Cup and the 1990/91 UEFA Cup.
Both big Roman clubs, AS Roma and Lazio, though, have become well-known over recent years not for football but for incidents based on the shady political views and involvements of their supporters and some of the club officials.
One word of warning – avoid the notorious Ponte Duca D’Aosta around the ground on matchday. Tourists and fans have been targeted here in the past.
About the Stadium
Although the stadium may look impressive at first glance and the views from the stands are excellent from wherever you find yourself, facilities inside the ground are notoriously poor. The ground underwent quite a deal of renovation, however, ahead of the 2009 Champions League Final, so things have improved on the inside from previously.
To get there by public transport, hop on a train of metro line A (from Termini train station) following the directions to Ottaviano/ S. Pietro station and take the bus line 32 to Piazzale della Farnesina which stops close by the exits. Alternatively grab a taxi and travel the 5/6km from the city centre, or use the buses that typically run for away fans from Villa Borghese, just north of the Spanish Steps.
To enter the ground, you have to scan the barcode at of the electronic turnstiles before you have to undergo a body check, usually carried out by police officers (Carabinieri). It is advisable to arrive at the ground in good time before kick-off as the entry procedure takes its time and queues are likely to occur.
About the City
You’ll be literally tripping over history while you’re in Rome; there are tons of museums, churches and other architectural/historical delights to explore. However, if you asked any foreigner the two things Rome’s probably most famous for (apart from football), he or she’d probably name the Pope/the Vatican and the Colosseum.
For a comprehensive guide on getting around, eating and drinking and all things Rome, you can check out our Away Goals Fanzine, produced for the 2009 Champions League Final that was held at the Stadio Olimpico. The vast majority of the information contained therein still rings true today.
You can also find a list of the major sights as well as further info on tours and accommodation by visiting the www.enjoyrome.com, a website run by an independent tourist office offering a variety of services to independent travellers in Rome
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