The last football season, in the city of the Three Popes, rhymed with triumph. And yet, on the banks of the Savio, the envy towards the Dotta continues to be felt…
© photo by Bertozzi private archive
“Flavio, I swear to you. The feelings of envy and hatred have never been in my chromosomes. Never. In these last 40 years, however, I do not deny that I have exuded joy from every pore at every relegation or failure of Bologna…”. This is the quote that Fabrizio, my long-time friend and Juventus super fan, vomited last night at Bar Cesena, between a Stella Artois and a bag of chips. However, I understand, many people think like Fabrizio. Many. “The last football year, despite the splendid ride completed by the Toscano boys, ended in red for me – my cousin Alan, another thoroughbred Romagna native who grew up on bread (sorry, piadina) and Cavalluccio – thundered last night and always at Bar Cesena – Yes, in red. Ok, we went to Serie B. Ok, we won the Super Cup of C. But at the same time Bologna managed to go to the Champions League. Not even a truckload of Maalox will relieve my heartburn…”. Because, round and round, you always end up back at the starting point. To what Fabrizio says: for the ‘classic’ Cesena fan, Bologna remains the yardstick. The reference point. Not Rimini. Or Ravenna. Or Forlì. At the moment, Bologna and Cesena are obviously on two different planets (of the tread). They play two different sports. One day, however, perhaps, Dotta and the city of the Three Popes will return to compete in the championship. And not only – as happened just under a year ago – in the Italian Cup. “Whatever, Aiello & Friends have some money to invest – Franco, the owner of Bar Cesena, also ruled last night – However, to be able to reach the levels of today’s Bologna, we would need some truly rich people. A Nerio Alessandri. The Sultan of Brunei. Or a half miracle…”. Yes, a half miracle. A ‘parochial’ attack. “We can’t do it alone – continued Franco – We should merge with Rimini, Ravenna and Forlì. We should join forces. So yes, a Romagna national team capable of competing with Bologna could be created. With the Atalanta of miracles. Maybe even with the superbigs…”. “What the fuck are you talking about? Rather than blend in with the people of Rimini, the people of Forlì and the people of Ravenna I let Rocco Siffredi sodomize me – the gruff Fabrizio immediately replied – Better alone in B, in C, even in D. Rather than arm in arm with your ‘cousins’ in A…”. That he’s not entirely wrong, good Fabrizio. Although, the crazy idea launched last night by the owner of Bar Cesena, everything is except new. Given that, already in the year of the Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-two, with Cavalluccio – just like now – in Serie B, the project of a great team ‘branded’ Romagna Capitale (capable of competing with Bologna for regional primacy) had been entertained by none other than by Dino Manuzzi. Yes, from Dino Manuzzi. The unattainable Juventus patron, that time, initially contacted the Forlì managers with a view to a union. The next step would have been to launch a sensational marriage with Rimini (and maybe, who knows, even with Ravenna). Parochial spirits, however, immediately took over. And that ambitious project failed miserably. Luckily, I would add. Fortunately.
