History
A timeline from the founding of Milan in 1899 to victories in the European Cup and the Champions League.
an independent magazine about Italian football culture
Rossoneri — a magazine about Italian football culture
Italian football is more than scores and league tables. It is club colours that gave teams their nicknames, stadiums that became part of the city skyline, supporters with their own magazines and forums, a language all of its own and tactical ideas that have been debated for decades. Rossoneri is an independent magazine about that culture. The word rossoneri means "the red and blacks"; for us it is a reminder of how much colours and names say in football.
Football history is not written only on the pitch. It is kept alive by those who record it, photograph it and retell it.
Where to start
Stadiums
San Siro as the shared home of two clubs, and how to read the architecture of a football ground.
Supporters and media
Fanzines, fan sites and forums as a cultural phenomenon, and the people who made them.
Tactics and language
Catenaccio and other systems in general terms, plus how to read old statistics.
Magazine sections
- Articles
Magazine topics: Milan's clubs, San Siro, colours and nicknames, fanzines, catenaccio, the language of calcio. Plus the article catalogue.
- History
A timeline of Italian football from the founding of Milan in 1899 to the 2007 Champions League.
- People
Who creates football culture: supporters, fanzine writers, journalists, historians, photographers, commentators.
- Collections
Themed reading paths through the magazine for a first introduction to Italian football.
- Events
Derbies, European nights, anniversaries and exhibitions: the kinds of events and how to check an announcement.
- Analysis
How to work through historical football statistics and how tactical systems differ.
- Archive
The magazine's sections and what is known about the old material on this domain.
How to read an old football article: five steps
Identify the author and the publication
Who wrote the piece and where it appeared: a sports paper, a club bulletin, a fanzine or an amateur website. That tells you what to expect from it.
Check the date
Football writing dates quickly. Compare the publication date with the events described, and remember that new information may have emerged since.
Find the sources of the facts
See where the author takes scores, dates and figures from: match reports, official competition histories or memory. A fact without a source is a reason to check.
Separate opinion from fact
"The match of the decade" is the author's opinion; the year and the competition are facts. As you read, keep these two layers apart.
Check against an encyclopaedia
Club founding dates, winning years and competition names are easy to verify in encyclopaedic sources and official competition histories.
Frequently asked questions
Is this AC Milan's website?
No. Rossoneri is an independent magazine. It is not affiliated with the club, the league or any other football organisation and does not use their insignia.
Is this a fan club?
No. We do not take members or organise away trips or supporters' meetings. We write about fan culture from the outside, as a phenomenon.
Can I find club news and fixtures here?
No. We do not publish news, transfers or line-ups, and we do not sell tickets. Look for fixtures and visiting arrangements with the organisers.
Do you publish match predictions?
No. We make no predictions and do not write about betting. The magazine is about the history and culture of football, not the results of future games.
About the project
Rossoneri is an independent magazine about Italian football culture for English-speaking readers. This domain used to host a Russian-language fan site. The current magazine has no connection with it and does not restore its material.
We write about calcio history, club colours and nicknames, stadiums, supporters and their media, language and tactics. We do not write about current players or coaches and we do not pass judgement on people. We only give specific dates that are confirmed by encyclopaedic sources and official competition histories.
Related sections
- History
A timeline of Italian football from the founding of Milan in 1899 to the 2007 Champions League.
- Articles
Magazine topics: Milan's clubs, San Siro, colours and nicknames, fanzines, catenaccio, the language of calcio. Plus the article catalogue.
- Analysis
How to work through historical football statistics and how tactical systems differ.
Sources
- Encyclopaedic sources on the history of Italian football
- UEFA — competition history
- France Football — Ballon d'Or
- FIFA — World Cup history
Historical information is based on encyclopaedic sources and official competition histories. Competition rules, stadium names and museum visiting arrangements change, so check them on the organisers' official websites.