Serie A

PISA: A LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO THE ARENA GARIBALDI

From a victory against Lecce in 1990 to Saturday night’s match with Roma, Pisa returns to the Arena Garibaldi, which holds memories and stories of great legends from the past. The passion of a city, once again determined to fight for its place in Serie A Enilive.

The streets of Pisa have a new energy to them. There’s a freshness in the air, echoing with the memories of a time when the city, proud of its heritage, could dream of standing among the elite. That long-anticipated dream now returns on Saturday at 20:45 CEST, Pisa reopens the doors to its home ground for Serie A Enilive, immediately facing a challenging test against Gasperini’s Roma, as they continue to ride the high of the precious point earned at the Gewiss Stadium against Atalanta.

It's been almost 35 years, a long absence for a club that has always found a way to find its place among the big teams. Patience has finally paid off. On 16 September 1990, Pisa last played a home opener in the top flight before the current 2025/26 campaign. That late summer Sunday, they took on a Lecce side, led by Zibì Boniek, the Juventus and Roma legend of the ‘80s. Pisa, led by Giannini and Lucescu, came into the match on the back of a 1-0 away win at Bologna, aspiring to keep their perfect record at the end to their second matchday.

In front of around 13000 joyful Pisa fans, the black and blue side played probably their best game of the entire season in a 4-0 win over Lecce (in which a young Antonio Conte played). It was a perfect game for the hosts, with their legendary captain Lamberto Piovanelli securing a brace. In fact, many great players featured for Pisa in those great years for the club. In the 1990/91 season (which ended in relegation to Serie B), a certain Diego Pablo Simeone was playing for them; the Argentine, just turned 20 and making his first steps in Italy, scored the goal to make it 2-0 and provided the assist for the third goal. Il Cholo (one of the first former players to celebrate their promotion from Serie B in the 2024-25 season) also stayed at Pisa for the following year, before moving to Sevilla in La Liga, and from then on, he has always had a special place in the hearts of Nerazzurri fans. Another shining star, who didn’t join Pisa until October 1990, was José Chamot, who made 95 appearances in three seasons with the Tuscan side. And how can we not mention Michele Padovano (European and World champion with Juventus in 1996), who also scored in the aforementioned match against Lecce. The 1966-born player ended the Serie A season with eleven goals. To conclude the round up, let’s look to the north and Henrik Larsen: Pisa’s former Scandinavian forward was a hero in Denmark’s 1992 Euros triumph in Sweden, and he even scored a brace in the semi-finals of the competition.

Stories of former players and memories that take us back to a truly special place in the city: Arena Garibaldi. It is one of the oldest Italian football stadiums: in the 1800s, the area was used as a racecourse and an amphitheatre, while in 1919, the stadium was built to host Pisa’s home games. It’s English-style, without a race track around the field of play, and it is a symbol of belonging for the fans, a place that always produces a unique and absorbing atmosphere. During Serie B last year, that “arena” buzz had a huge impact on the team’s performances: home wins against Sassuolo and Cremonese were undoubtedly highlights of the Nerazzurri’s season. There has never been a lack of support and, right from the game against Roma, Serie A will get to know the magic and passion that embody the city of Pisa’s colours. Don’t miss it on Saturday evening. (Photo LaPresse)