Mantova

Reasons To Adopt

Mantova work as a second team because they come with their own geography: Italy, Stadio Danilo Martelli – Pata Stadium, and a set of rivalries you will absorb faster than you expect.

• You get a nickname

  Known as I Virgiliani (The Virgilians) I Biancorossi (The White and Reds) I Biancobandati. That is your new shorthand, your search term and your excuse for buying a scarf.

• Easy weekend

  Forlì-Luigi Ridolfi International Airport (FRL) is about 16km from the ground, and Cesena railway station is 1km closer still. A home fixture is a genuinely doable two-night trip.

• The calendar you inherit

  Following Italy Serie B means odd kick-off hours, a new commentary language and a table you will check before your own club's. Italy becomes part of your week.

• Old enough to matter

  1911 is the founding date, old enough that the club has survived a war, a rebuild and at least one financial scare, young enough that the good years are still in living memory.