Virtus Entella Playbook: Your Unrivalled Experience Watching the Biancocelesti

What do Nottingham Forest and one of the most popular scouting platforms in world football have in common? The more pertinent question should be where, rather than what.

A pleasant town of just over 30,000 inhabitants Chiavari may be largely unknown even to calcio aficionados, yet it is home to Wyscout, which over the past seven years has gone from ambitious start-up to giant of the world of football analytics. Their services are used by the biggest clubs in the world.

It is also the birthplace of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the revolutionary who spearheaded Italy’s unification campaign in 1861. Garibaldi’s army was known as the Redshirts because of their distinctive uniforms, a hue which has since been adopted by Nottingham Forest, who play in Garibaldi red. 

Chiavari, of course, is also home of Virtus Entella, who take their name from the river running through the city. With Genoa and Sampdoria only 30 miles away, Entella have perennially lived in the shadow of their famous neighbours.

The city in itself is a curious dichotomy, technically part of Genoa’s greater metropolitan area but almost desperate to distance itself from the Ligurian capital and its overwhelming influence.

The gateway to the Tigullio Gulf, which includes Portofino, Italy’s answer to Monaco, and the Cinque Terre with its stunning backdrops and narrow streets overflowing with tourists, Chiavari is the ideal spot for a double-header calcio weekend.

So, if you are heading south of Genoa to watch the Biancocelesti in action, the information below will help.

Where To Stay

Chiavari is a very compact city, meaning you are never too far from transport hubs, historical landmarks and the ground. Staying in the Centro Storico is arguably the best option for first-time visitors because of its location and blend of hotels along with reasonably-priced Airbnbs and rental accommodation. 

Where To Eat

Ligurians take their food seriously and Chiavari is no exception. The fact the city is often overlooked by visitors in favour of Genoa and the Cinque Terre mean tourists traps are somewhat of a rarity.

Osteria da Vittorio in the Centro Storico is a famous for its trofie al pesto and fresh anchovies with lemon and offers traditional Ligurian dishes in an intimate setting.

If you are after more Ligurian delicacies, try the pansotti in walnut sauce (a traditional kind of stuffed pasta, a slightly bigger version of ravioli) at Ristorante Paganini, tucked away on a quiet street a stone’s throw away from Entella’s ground.

Family-run Da Felice right on the waterfront is a local institution and the place to head to if you fancy something fancier – make sure to try the calamari cooked on a slate stone – while Pizzeria 30 Febbraio is one of the best pizzerias in town.

Where To Drink

If heading to the Sannazzari early for some pre-match buzz you will not be short of options. Entella fans gather to drink at Bar Entella. Round the corner from the gates, this is the ideal spot to grab a last-minute pint before kick-off or a sandwich.

Slightly further up the road on Corso Lavagna, Arte Pizza is also a good option. This bar is perfect for a slice of pizza and a beer before the game.

Further away from the ground, you will stumble across fans at On Tap on Via Entella and if you’re heading back into the Centro Storico, stop at the wonderfully named The Best Drink, a bar that serves tasty aperitivos along with a wide selection of wines and beers.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Entella tickets are available on the club’s official website, at the Entella point in Corso Colombo 37 or at the ticket offices at the Stadio Sannazzari. Tickets start at around €15 for adults and €10 for under-18s.

When picking up tickets at the stadium or at the office, remember ID and leave a bit of time as they can get busy.

Kick-off times will be moved at short notice, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – All merchandise can be bought on the club website or at the Entella point in Corso Colombo 37, which is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 12:30pm and from 3pm to 7pm.

Did You Know?

Entella’s history is complicated, none more so then when it comes to Enrico Sannazzari, whom the stadium is named after.

One of the thousands of Ligurians who emigrated to South America, Sannazzari was among Entella’s founders in 1914 after he returned to Italy and chose the colours as a tribute to Argentina’s national team. According to the club records Sannazzarri was Entella’s first member, first captain and scorer of their first goal. 

Except that version is contested by Chiavari’s city council. The city contends there are no records of Sannazzarri ever visiting South America prior to founding Entella and that the blue and white colours were simply adopted as a result of the bond Chiavari had developed with the continent following a wave of Italian migration, rather than as a tribute to the Argentinian flag.

Yet he remains an iconic figure for the club, who last season released a special shirt commemorating his memory to mark its 110th anniversary.

Getting There

Genoa is well connected to the UK, with Ryanair flying out from London Stansted several times a week. Genoa is an hour away from Milan on the fast train, meaning you could easily fly into the latter and travel south by train.

From the airport in Genoa it’s a 90-minute train journey to Chiavari, while if you’re travelling from the city itself the trip is half as long.

As for the getting to the game in Chiavari, the ground is a 20-minute walk from the station, while all the key information is in our stadium guide.

Need Another Football Fix?

Genoa is just 45-minute away by train, meaning you could watch the Rossoblu or Sampdoria at Marassi on the same weekend as Entella. Spezia are under an hour away by train too.