Pisa will not be your regular Serie A team

After 34 years, two corporate bankruptcies and a mockery in the 2022 playoffs, Pisa Sporting Club has made it: it is back in Serie A. The historic verdict, accrued two games before the end of the championship, is dated Sunday, May 4, exactly at 16.58: the time when the team of Filippo Inzaghi, defeated on the field of Bari, obtained the arithmetic certainty of second place, thanks to the simultaneous defeat of Spezia against Reggiana.

So the promotion party that three years ago had remained in the drawer - locked away after the last, absurd minutes of the playoff against Monza - this time really exploded. First on the pitch and in the away sector of the San Nicola, where despite the distance from home there was no shortage of followers; and in parallel within the walls of the Arena Garibaldi in Pisa, where around ten thousand people watched the match on the big screens set up for the occasion, and then waited and embraced the team on their return from Bari.

The celebrations in Pisa

Mayor Michele Conti expressed the significance of the recent victory for both the club and the wider community during the stadium celebrations. "This is a crucial result for the club and for our city, which shares a profound connection with the team," he stated. He highlighted the day's festivities, noting, "Today is a testament to the celebration of our youth." The celebrations then moved across the city, with events taking place along the Lungarni, in Piazza dei Cavalieri, and at Ponte di Mezzo, culminating in a jubilant crowd gathering for an open-top bus parade on Monday. "The first time is unforgettable," the Mayor remarked, emphasizing that this experience will be etched in the memories of an entire generation of Pisans.

Inzaghi highlighted the importance of ‘an achievement that we aim to relish, despite being the underdogs.’ At the season’s outset, Pisa was not among the favorites for promotion; in fact, predictions placed them behind teams like Sassuolo, Cremonese, and Palermo, along with several others vying for playoff positions. However, the reality on the pitch has told a different story. It has illustrated the resurgence of a club and its supporters, who have weathered turbulent times that nearly caused them to fade from the spotlight. Yet, through it all, their sense of identity has remained intact. While it may come across as a cliché often heard in these situations, this truth resonates deeply.

A long journey

The last time Pisa played in Serie A was back in 1991, under the leadership of Mircea Lucescu, with players like Simeone and Chamot gracing the field. At the heart of that era was the iconic Romeo Anconetani, a figure who transcended his role as president to become a true institution. Known as ‘Il Vescovo di Pisa,’ Anconetani was not only pivotal in initiatives like ‘Parliamo con Romeo,’ a groundbreaking program on 50 Canale, but also made numerous appearances on ‘Mai Dire Gol.’ He stood as the embodiment of a significant chapter in both Nerazzurri history and the broader landscape of Italian football.

The relegation of the team marked the beginning of a prolonged struggle that culminated in the bankruptcy of 1994, alongside the departure of Anconetani. The journey of revival began with the rebranding as AC Pisa, evolving into Pisa Calcio, and continued until 2009, when the club faced another financial downturn. Throughout this tumultuous period, despite changing names, logos, ownership, and management, the core elements remained intact: the iconic Nerazzurri jersey, the historic Garibaldi Arena, and the enduring connection between the club, the city, and its fans. After twelve years, starting from AC Pisa 1909, the original name was finally restored as Pisa Sporting Club.

In the past decade, the aspiration for Serie A has transformed into a tangible objective. In 2016, under Gennaro Gattuso's management, the team returned to Serie B, albeit for just one season amid further corporate upheaval. A significant turning point came with the Corrado family's acquisition in 2018, followed by a return to Serie B under Luca D'Angelo in 2019, and the entry of Russian-American owner Alexander Knaster in 2021. This journey of ambition has also included the disappointment of the 2022 playoffs, which ultimately set the stage for an exciting new chapter under ‘Pippo’ Inzaghi.

The identity

Pisa has undergone several name changes and faced numerous periods of instability, yet it has always managed to persevere, starting anew from amateur roots. Since its inception, after a fleeting period marked by red and white colors, the club has remained true to its iconic black and blue. According to former president Enrico Canti, these colors were selected in 1910 by one of the club's early directors, inspired by that year's Italian champions, Inter Milan, during a time when Canti himself was bedridden with fever.

The red from the Pisan cross has made appearances in various iterations over the years, while the club's crest has evolved from a stylized depiction of the iconic Leaning Tower to its current oval design, featuring the phrase "Pisa Sporting Club 1909" alongside a black outline of the celebrated monument set against a blue backdrop. In recent times, the club has revisited its historical roots through initiatives such as collaborations with COPA, which saw a re-release of the 1986/87 jersey, and Tacchettee's “Identità Pisana” capsule collection. This rich identity, nurtured and passed down through generations, persists despite the club's fluctuations. Today, it resonates with the latest supporters, who are part of a unique legacy in the landscape of Italian football fandom, both organized and otherwise, encompassing fans from all walks of life.

A different kind of fanbase

In the 2024/25 season, Pisa achieved a remarkable feat in Serie B, pulling in an average of nearly 1,000 spectators per away game, landing them the top spot in the league's fanbase rankings. However, their home games tell a different story, with an average attendance of around 9,000, placing them 12th. This figure pales in comparison to clubs like Sampdoria and Palermo, both of which boast crowds exceeding 20,000, aided by more modern facilities and larger catchment areas. The Arena Garibaldi, named in honor of former president Romeo Anconetani after his passing in the late 1990s, holds a special place in the hearts of fans, cherished more for its tradition than its outdated amenities. The stadium clearly shows signs of aging, both good and bad, and is nestled in the vibrant Porta a Lucca district, just a stone's throw from the iconic Leaning Tower.

Plans are underway to expand the stadium’s current capacity of 11,293 to 12,500 in anticipation of a promotion to Serie A, aligning with federal guidelines. Renovations are already in progress, following a comprehensive four-phase plan that will carry on throughout the summer. The city administration aims to complete the upgrades by August, ahead of the new season. At the same time, an important milestone is approaching: the opening of the Gagno sports center, which will serve as the team's new training facility and a significant asset for the club.

Finally, we must acknowledge the fans who fill the stadiums. Their significance extends beyond attendance figures and away match participation; it encompasses their approach to support. For years, organized supporters from Pisa have garnered national attention for their distinctive identity, which stands apart from mainstream fan culture. They are characterized by their political engagement, impressive youth and female representation, and their efforts to challenge the traditional values associated with Italian ultras.

The Curva Nord is particularly active both within the stands and in the community, addressing crucial socio-political issues such as male violence, human rights, the Ukraine and Palestine conflict. This commitment sets them apart in a landscape where many organized supporters lean towards ultraconservative, reactionary, or apolitical stances, often marred by a pervasive macho culture. This unique involvement, combined with Pisa's long hiatus from Serie A and the city's revitalized enthusiasm for football, makes Pisa's promotion a compelling narrative.