Carlo Castellani

The stadium in Empoli is a study in contrasts. The older stand, reaching back to the mid-twentieth century, is defined by heavy concrete and brick, a style that speaks of the 1960s when the ground first opened.

The ground has hosted significant moments in Italian football, most notably matches for the Italy national team. While it missed the 1990 World Cup, it has seen plenty of top-flight action. The atmosphere can turn hostile; a match against Roma in 2004 saw flares and projectiles fly, a reminder that the supporters remain fiercely protective of their patch. The capacity has been trimmed over the years, a far cry from the nearly 20,000 who once crammed in to watch a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in 1998.

The name itself carries weight, honouring Carlo Castellani, a player whose career was cut short in a concentration camp. It is not a place of mythic proportions, but a working ground that has seen its share of highs and lows, from concerts to derbies. The stadium does not hide its age, but it does not try to either.