There is nothing quite like a local derby in football. No matter which club he or she supports, the first thing a fan will check when the season’s fixtures are released is when their team is scheduled to face its local rival.
Top-level European football is a globalised affair these days, and it is increasingly common for classic derbies such as Roma vs Lazio, Manchester City vs Manchester United and Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid to feature very few players born anywhere near the city in which the match is taking place. Yet despite this, these games continue to matter more than any other, with players and coaches quickly getting on board with the supporters’ passion.