Celtic fans in Rome are hoping to see their side secure their first win this season's UEFA Champions League group stages. The Scottish champions face Lazio in Group E on Tuesday 28 November at the Stadio Olimpico.
Additional motivation comes in the form of revenge: Lazio beat Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park with a goal in the final minutes of the game.
With their last away game in the group – against Atlético Madrid – ending in a 6-1 loss, many Celtic fans will be hoping for a better result and a better performance from their side. And it will have to be if they are to remain in European competition after Christmas.
While progressing in the UEFA Champions League is still a slim possibility, most Celtic fans will be realistic in their chances and will be hoping they can at least secure third place in Group E, which would mean they would enter the UEFA Europa League knockout stages in the New Year. A win at the Stadio Olimpico would help their cause.
How many Celtic fans in Rome are there for this game? Where are they drinking? Are there any great videos or photos? And for Celtic fans out in Italy, here's everything you need to know about good bars, ticket collection information, security measures and directions to the ground.
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How many Celtic fans in Rome?
Celtic have been given a ticket allocation of 3,635 for Lazio vs Celtic at the Stadio Olimpico, a stadium which has a full capacity of 72,698. Celtic fans are known for travelling in large numbers when playing away in European competitions. They bring plenty of colour and noise to the occasion.
Where do the Celtic fans stand in the Stadio Olimpico?
Away fans at the Stadio Olimpico are usually placed in one of the sections opposite the home fans. This changes depending on the opposition, as the Olimpico is shared by city rivals Lazio and Roma. On Tuesday, the Lazio ultras are placed in the Curva Nord, so the Celtic fans can expect to be placed in a more southern part of the stadium.
If you are a neutral fan, you are best placed to sit in the Tribune Tevere part of the stadium, which is alongside the pitch.
Full fans’ matchday guide for Celtic v Lazio
The Stadio Olimpico: Key facts
- The Stadio Olimpico is home to two of Rome’s football clubs, Roma and Lazio.
- The stadium was built in 1932, but wasn’t officially opened for use until 17 May 1953. The first game played there was between Italy and Hungary, who won 3-0
- The Stadio Olimpico has hosted the European Cup final twice, in 1977 and again in 2009.
- The capacity of the stadium is 72,698 and has various sections for different types of fans. For example, Lazio fans occupy Curva Nord, whilst Roma fans occupy Curva Sud, with both sections having just over 8,000 capacity.
Even with 3,600 tickets available, many Celtic fans in Rome will be travelling over to just be a part of the atmosphere, without tickets, and will be looking to find a place to watch the game, whilst enjoying some food and a drink.
Here are the best places that Celtic fans can go to while visiting Rome on Matchday 5 of the Champions League group stages.
Where to eat & drink for Celtic fans in Rome?
Things to do in Rome
Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world, which means Celtic fans will have no shortage of things to do whilst over there. The sights to see are obvious: The Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel; The Colosseum and the Roman Forum; The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. It's an historic place and it's worth seeing all of these things.
Best food in Rome
After taking in these brilliant historic sights, Celtic fans will have worked up an appetite, and Rome has plenty of places to grab a bite to eat.
A short walk to the east of the Vatican, you can find Rome’s Prati neighbourhood area. It is filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Places called Rosticceria’s, which are little hole-in-the wall food stalls are plentiful are serve delicious Italian cuisine, with freshly made lasagnes and spaghetti’s served daily.
If you're there for a few days, Football Ground Guide recommend going to Trastévere, a cool neighbourhood on the left of the river Tiber. Great food, lots of people drinking in the streets, good music and a great vibe.
Trattoria da Augusto offers fantastic food, but get there early or face a queue. While you should head to Suppli Roma for cheap suppli, a kind of fried street food which is basically cheesy risotto in a ball. It's brilliant.
Pubs and bars in Rome
Many Celtic fans will want to have a drink (or two) before and after the match and Rome has loads of bars and pubs to do so, with local beers and wines available.
Drink Kong
We can’t mention bars in Rome without mentioning Drink Kong, one of the best bars in Rome, and an unusual one as well. Instead of being handed a drinks menu, the bar staff ask you what mood you are in and what your favourite colour is. Once you tell them, they produce a cocktail to match your mood or favourite colour. Of course, this is just a perk, and you can buy whatever drink you want. You can find Drink Kong at Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8. 00154 Roma RM, Italy. Cocktails are priced between €14 – €16 euro.
La Botticella of Poggi
La Botticella of Poggi is a pub that is located in the centre of the city, and is often referred to as a hidden gem in Rome. It is one of the best pubs in the Italian capital, with Italian craft beer, international drinks, wines and cocktails all available at reasonable prices.
It is located at Via di Tor Millina, 32, 00186 Roma RM, Italy and boasts indoor and outdoor dining tables. With beer priced as cheap as €6, we are sure Celtic fans visiting the city will enjoy this spot and can see the place being covered in green and white on match day.
Open Baladin
For a certain type of football fan who loves their craft beer, Open Baladin is a pub that serves the best in Rome. With over 30 different craft beers to choose from, most of which are locally brewed, the selection can’t be seen in any other bar in the Italian capital.
It is located at Via degli Specchi, 6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy and it’s beers are reasonably priced at €5-€7 euro a beer, whist it also provides delicious food as well.
How to get to the Stadio Olimpico: Guide for Celtic fans in Rome
Depending on where you are travelling from, the best way to travel to the Stadio Olimpico is by metro. From the city centre, taking the Metro Line A from Termini to Flaminio, then tram 2 to Mancini and walk across the bridge to the stadium.
Another way is to take the Metro Line A from Termini to Ottaviano, then the bus 32 to Farnesina and then walk to the stadium from there.
On matchdays, buses usually run from the city centre to the stadium itself and these are usually allocated for away fans only. However, they aren’t always available. It really depends on the fan base and how many fans are attending the game. Celtic fans may find that this route to the stadium is available, but it is highly advised to contact the club to see if this service is available. If so, it will be accompanied by a police escort.
When travelling to the stadium, it is advised to have your tickets ready at all times, as there are a few check points before getting to the turnstiles.
It is also highly advised that away fans travel together, for safety reasons. Italian fans in Rome can be violent and seek out fights. Use your head and common sense and stay safe.