Celebrating historic rivalries with respect

There’s nothing like the tension before a derby game. My friends and I always talk trash before the match, but afterwards we usually end up grabbing food together—win or lose. Why do you think some rivalries stay respectful, while others get ugly fast?

It probably comes down to tradition and the example set by the clubs and their leaders. There’s this article about Milan and their rivals— https://sempremilan.com/allegri-fabregas-milan-must-decide-head-coach-soon talks about how even the fiercest matches can be played with mutual respect. A lot of it is about remembering that, at the end of the day, everyone’s there because they love the game. I think it’s way better when fans keep it competitive but friendly. The best rivalries are the ones people talk about for years without it getting personal.

You can always tell when a rivalry is based on real respect. The games are intense, but fans still shake hands after. Makes the atmosphere more exciting, not nasty.