In 1990, Neapolitans buried Berlusconi in Milan – 28/04/2023 – Sport

Anyone arriving on the afternoon of April 29, 1990 at Piazza del Duomo, in the center of Milan, would witness a Neapolitan revelry. Mostly workers who left their homeland, in the impoverished south of Italy, to try to make a living in the rich city of the north, celebrated, in a cathartic apotheosis, the triumph of the oppressed over the oppressors.

That Sunday, I got there around 6pm. As I wrote at the time (I had just been in Milan as a correspondent for Sheet), a small crowd of Napoli fans quickly formed – roaring and chanting. In a temporary occupation, they waved their white and blue flags at the foot of the huge Gothic cathedral, which Goethe called “a mountain of marble in bad taste” and Stendhal admired for its endless filigree.

Shortly before, Napoli had won its second “scudetto”, leaving behind the powerful Milan of the Dutch Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, coached by Arrigo Sacchi. In four years, the then modest southern team had become a European and worldwide sensation. In addition to the two national titles, he raised a Uefa Cup and another one from Italy.

The main person responsible for the success was called Diego Maradona, the superstar who left Barcelona in 1983 and was hired by Napoli a year later.

Two Brazilians joined the brilliant Argentine in that historic team, midfielder Alemão and center forward Careca. And there was also the Italian Giordano, who made with Maradona and Careca the so-called “MaGiCa” trio.

On the eve of that Sunday, Milan had done their homework, defeating Bari by 4-0. To be champion, they would need a defeat by the Neapolitans against Lazio. Did not happen. The “squadra” of Maradona and Careca won by 1 to 0 and ended the matter on that glorious Sunday.

The capital of Lombardy had to swallow its persistent prejudice against the people of the south, who had a carnival in the square that only football can provide. The sellers of ice cream for tourists, the fighters of services and industry, those pejoratively called “terrone” (treated as some imbeciles treat northeasterns in Southeast Brazil) ascended to the throne. In symbolic revenge, they staged a funeral in the square for tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, the ultra-right businessman who had bought Milan and would soon become Italian prime minister.

Yes, there were also the well-heeled southerners – the Neapolitan in a Mercedes, the Neapolitan in an Alfa Romeo, the Neapolitan in a silk scarf, who paraded through the city honking his horn.

Perhaps the party will be repeated, it is not known if this weekend or later. What is certain is that Napoli are very close to repeating the “scudetto” party 33 years later.