Following the shocking 1-0 defeat against Udinese in the last Serie A fixture, Roma will face the big match of the week against third placed Inter on Sunday evening at Stadio Olimpico.
Although, they booked their place in the Champions League knockout stage on Tuesday, Eusebio Di Francesco’s team have gone through a troubled week and were booed off after the Real Madrid defeat, with his coach also angry about the manner of the loss.
However, Roma remain one of Italy’s best supported teams abroad with fans ready to cheer their idols no matter the game’s result. The Romanisti are also represented in Spain through Roma Club Barcelona, which was founded in 2011.
“The fan club was set up when Luis Enrique arrived in the Italian capital,” said the club’s founder and President Gerardo De Nicola.
“The aim of the supporters club is to be a checkpoint for every Giallorossi fan in Barcelona.
“Especially to give everyone, including tourists who came in Catalonia, a chance to watch a every single Lupi match.
“In recent years, we have gained more than 200 members and during matches there are around 80 people who join us to watch the games.
“The club offers an annual membership for only €30, with the benefit of having a reserved seat in the members’ zone.
“We also offer merchandising, discounts at the bar and the first refusal on tickets when available.
“If others only prefer to visit for one game, you can also become a friend-member for only €10 and get or a scarf, a t-shirt or other gadgets, made by our supporters club.
“We are open to everyone. We have hosted international members from England, Ireland, Sweden, Japan and Lebanon at Pub Fiction, which has been our home for seven years.”
Football is not the only reason they gather however, and at times even make the trip to watch their team when they play other European rivals.
“We are a great group and happy to meet not only before and after the match but also for other occasions [as well],” he explained, “[such as] for the classic ‘vermouth dominguero’: a special Sunday aperitif made in Barcelona.”
The supporters group have clear their purposes of the season and remain hopeful that Roma can do better in the national league.
“This year, Serie A started with more pain than joy, but we’ll sum up the outcome and the results achieved by the end of it.
“The aim is always fight, be focused and give the best on the pitch. We hope in still making good impressions, especially in Europe where last year Roma have been really competitive.
“Regarding Sunday’s game, it’s better not have so many expectations. We‘ll be focused on passionately supporting our team for 90 minutes.”
Roma Club Barcelona – Unico Grande Amor is based at Pub Fiction in Carrer Casanova 96 and can be contacted via Facebook, Twitter or their website.
