Tensions between Genoa and Sampdoria fans ahead of derby in Coppa Italia | OneFootball

Ahead of Wednesday’s much-anticipated Derby della Lanterna, Genoa ultras clashed with their Sampdoria counterparts near the stadium.

The two arch-rivals are set to lock horns in a Coppa Italia contest this evening. This will be their first meeting since the 2021/22 campaign which ended in Genoa’s relegation to Serie B. The Grifone returned to the top flight a year later, but ironically, it was Sampdoria’s turn to suffer demotion at the end of the of 2022/23 season.

Nevertheless, the lack of action on the pitch hasn’t decreased the animosity between the two fanbases. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, tensions have been flaring in the city over the past few months following some back-and-forth skirmishes between the two sets of Ultras.

The situation reached its climax at around 2:00 PM local time, when the Grifone and Blucerchiati ultras met at Ponte Gerolamo Serra, a street nearby the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Marassi.

The pink newspaper reveals that the clashes included throwing objects, firecracks and smoke bombs in what swiftly descended into a guerilla warfare. The local police had to intervene to restore order in the area.

Calcio fans will be hoping that the encounter proceeds without any other mishaps. The winner will progress to the Round of 16 to take on Roma on December 4th.