Vastogirardi-L’Aquila: football at altitude

The thirty-first day of group F of the Serie D championship features the Vastogirardi-L’Aquila challenge. I decide to reach the Molise village of Vastogirardi (687 inhabitants) both for the desire for something new, having never been to the centre, and to see the L’Aquila team again, after having admired them in Avezzano during the Easter period and at home against Sambenedettese for seven days Before.

I start the car when it is nine in the morning on a warm and sunny Sunday in April, ready to face the standard two and a half hour journey to reach the Apennine hinterland. The journey towards the province of Isernia proceeds smoothly. After passing Pescolanciano, where I leave it TrigninaI travel along deserted provincial roads immersed in a fairy-tale nature, characterized by the explosion of green typical of the spring season, with beech trees and magnificent fir trees that almost give me the impression of being in the pristine Canadian forests.

I finally arrive in Vastogirardi and I have plenty of time to indulge in an in-depth tour to discover the local beauties. I am enchanted by this beautiful town with its healthy air and genuine atmosphere, immersed in the woods and protected by magnificent mountains. I am in an area characterized by harsh winters, being near Capracotta, the queen of cross-country skiing in the Apennines.

The first stop is the Samnite temple from the 2nd century BC, located in a very green clearing crossed by the Celano-Foggia sheep track, a path followed for centuries by flocks heading from Abruzzo towards Puglia. A short distance away are the sources of the Trigno, an important river that flows throughout Molise before flowing into the Adriatic. In the Early Middle Ages, precisely in the Lombard period, a church was superimposed on the pagan sanctuary.

Subsequently I immerse myself in the maze of stone alleys of the historic center, which developed around the marvelous Castle. The fortified village took shape between the 8th and 9th centuries, perhaps at the instigation of the abbots of San Vincenzo al Volturno, one of the most important Benedictine abbeys in central Italy. The name of the town is probably of Norman origin and can be traced back to a character named Giusto Girardo, who according to legend participated in the first crusade. Between the Middle Ages and the modern age Vastogirardi belonged to the Borrello, the dukes of Cantelmo, the Petra and the D’Alessandro.

In the central square I visit the beautiful church of San Nicola di Bari, from the 10th-11th century. Near another sacred building, dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, I observe the representation of Flight of the Angel, which celebrates a local tradition. From the town you can see the last tongues of snow whitening the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park and the Roccaraso area, the main ski resort in central-southern Italy. It is a pleasure to walk in the quiet of this village. The scent of cavatelli with sauce stimulates my appetite and I decide to refresh myself in a bar, where I also find some historical photos of the club local.

It’s not long now until the match starts, so I go to the stadium. “Di Tella” is a small but charming facility located 1200 meters above sea level, between the Capraro and Cavallerizzo woods, the scene of various episodes of the Samnite Wars, which saw the Romans pitted against the Samnites. It is named after Filippo Di Tella, a former captain of the Alto Molise team. The structure, really nice, is made up of a single covered grandstand, within which the guest sector has been created. I am welcomed with great cordiality by the local managers, whom I thank for the excellent welcome.

After completing the ritual procedures, I can finally put my faithful and beloved machine around my neck. The grandstand is packed: there is no organized support in Vastogirardi, but the town’s sportspeople responded enthusiastically to the event, occupying almost all the seats. Some children are waving flags and I notice the cute banners Mountaineers And Brigands.

I therefore turn my attention to the guest sector today sold out, having the people of L’Aquila pulverized all the coupons made available to them. The ultras block gathers on the steps, while the simple fans watch the match on the straight. The view offered by the rossoblù, who are holding their excellently crafted banners in their hands, is very beautiful.

It’s 3pm and twenty-two athletes enter the field. L’Aquila must win to continue to cultivate promotion hopes, while Vastogirardi’s objective is to avoid direct relegation and try to secure the salvation play-offs. Obviously my attention is turned to the guests, authors of a great performance on this hot Sunday in Molise.

THE Red Blue Eagles they display a banner of support for a friend of theirs, do lots of clapping throughout the sector and continuously wave the two flags. Their chants are many: for the city, for the team, for the colours, for the territory (several times they pay homage to the Gran Sasso, the king of the Apennines, at the foot of which is the capital of Abruzzo), for those who have been banned and against the repression.

On the pitch L’Aquila immediately goes on the attack, with Banegas almost taking the lead. A few minutes later Vastogirardi tries: Fontana takes advantage of a defensive error by Alessandretti, but when he is about to kick on goal he is recovered by Brunetti, who saves the Abruzzo team. In the 12th minute the visitors take the lead: the Molise players handle a ball badly in their own area, the ball reaches Banegas who scores to the delight of their fans. The ultras from L’Aquila, after the heated celebration, increase the power of their chants and cheer non-stop, then color the sector, as they do, with lots of flags. Vastogirardi tries to get back up and tries on two occasions, but the result doesn’t change and the first half ends with a score of 0-1.

In the second half the L’Aquila support remained at excellent levels. I still photograph lots of hand clapping and various moments in which the ultras sing shoulder to shoulder. I really like the choir which recalls the year the Abruzzo team was founded (1927), as well as the one sung to the tune of the song Unique.

Returning to the pitch, the second half sees Vastogirardi constantly on the attack: on a cross from the right the Molise players claim a penalty kick, but the referee lets it go. The locals always come close to scoring first with Ramos, then with Caon, who scares the guests in two situations. Vastogirardi presses on the accelerator and only a miracle from Michielin, a few minutes later, avoids the equalizer. The last chance is still for the yellow-blues, with Iacovetta shooting wide. After a second half of great suffering, therefore, the referee’s final whistle makes the players in the rossoblù shirt breathe a deep sigh of relief, as they return to the vaunted feet of Gran Sasso with three points in their pocket. The distance from the leaders Campobasso remains unchanged, but the athletes from L’Aquila celebrate anyway with their supporters, who sing “I carry you to the bottom of my heart”. On the faces of the local footballers, however, we can see great disappointment, given that Vastogirardi continues to be second to last with a few days to go.

While the Abruzzo people do the final clapping, I arrange the equipment, greet the local leaders and reach the car. The return home is kissed by the sun and the greenery of the Apennine mountains, while I’m already thinking about the next match and the next trip!

Text and photos by Andrea Calabrese