Milan banner saying
"Inter, the true comedy since 1908," with a caricature of
Dante Milan is one of the most supported football clubs in Italy, according to research conducted by Italian newspaper
La Repubblica. Historically, Milan was supported by the city's working-class and
trade unionists, a section of whom were migrants from
Southern Italy. On the other hand, crosstown rivals
Internazionale were mainly supported by the more prosperous and typically Milanese middle-class. One of the oldest
ultras groups in all of Italian football,
Fossa dei Leoni, originated in Milan. Currently, the main ultras group within the support base is
Brigate Rossonere. Politically, Milan ultras have never had any particular preference, but the media traditionally associated them with the
left-wing, until recently, when Berlusconi's presidency somewhat altered that view.
Genoa fans consider Milan a hated rival after Genoa fan, Vincenzo Spagnolo was tragically stabbed to death by a Milan supporter in January 1995. However, Milan's main rivalry is with neighbor club, Internazionale; both clubs meet in the widely anticipated
Derby della Madonnina twice every Serie A season. The name of the derby refers to the
Blessed Virgin Mary, whose statue atop the
Milan Cathedral is one of the city's main attractions. The match usually creates a lively atmosphere, with numerous (often humorous or offensive) banners unfolded before the start of the game.
Flares are commonly present and contribute to the spectacle but they have occasionally led to problems, including the abandonment of the second leg of the
2004–05 Champions League quarterfinal match between Milan and Inter on 12 April 2005, after a flare thrown from the crowd by an Inter supporter struck Milan keeper
Dida on the shoulder.