A national sporting institution, football runs through the life-blood of most Italians, and has the power to reduce grown men to tears. There are three Roman football teams: AS Roma, SS Lazio (both in Serie A) and the little-known Serie C Lodigliani team. The two main teams are vehement rivals. For a hotbed of ‘romanisti’ (red and yellow) activity, head south to Testaccio. Both sides come into battle during the electrifying Rome Derby matches, which take place at the Stadio Olimpico. Hardcore ‘Laziali’ (blue and white) sit in the Curva Nord. The 82,000-seat stadium was rebuilt for the 1960 Rome Olympics and then expanded for the 1990 World Cup. For a calendar of the season’s Serie A football matches. go to www.serieacalcio.com.