The manufacturers of the game Monopoly have missed a trick. They don’t have a Monopoli version! Given the uptick in tourism in Puglia and the increasing number of visitors to this fabulous town, it would make for a source of revenue, as well as a point of humour when buying the game or playing it in Monopoli.
I had whizzed by Monopoli many years ago en route to Lecce. I was aware they had a football team, and correlation with the similarity to the board game name saw me unconsciously keeping an eye on their scores. However, I only ever stopped by in February 2024 for the first time. They become the quickest to a 1,2,3 article in the series, with 4,5,6 also available on the dice!
Post covid has been acknowledged as my time to finally discover the south, having only been that once in Puglia for a mighty big promotion match between Lecce and Ancona in 2003. Twenty years on, and many subsequent treks, Puglia will have become the region where I have watched more games than any other after my five week sojourn, which is incoming.
Monopoli’s old town, with its tight streets and white buildings is a gemstone of the region. The ancient fishing harbour is truly spectacular, and the ambience is one of quiet sophistication. I like this town, and doubtlessly all the different visitors headed south during my lengthy five week escape will be shown the delights of Monopoli, and none of them will be asked to shake a double 6 to get out!
People make places, and local chap Cosimo helped introduce Monopoli Calcio to Belgian friend Steph and I. Steph stayed in Monopoli, while I made a point of returning from Brindisi to experience the joy of the old town the next day. Who should I run into, but the main man himself, Cosimo. Such is his passion for Monopoli and the angst of that frustrating loss, he didn’t sleep well! A year later, I was back, and a match-up between the two green and white sides of Italian professional football was too tempting. Again, his generosity and helpfulness were beyond words. When time was tight on visit three, I didn’t contact him, sneaking in a few minutes late for what would be the best of the trio in this tale.
I will be short of time once more on game night in a couple of weeks to make a point of passing by his shop, but I will have ample opportunity to do so on another occasion. A surprise drop-in and maybe a purchase of the 25/26 Monopoli shirt.
1- Monopoli 0-1 Latina- 18th Feb 2024
Days earlier, prior to this first match at the Vito Simone Veneziani stadium, Monopoli had been viewed for the first time way up north in Puglia at Foggia. Puglia is an enormous, long region. Somehow, they had conspired to get out done by a 10 man home side, who sat in, soaked up pressure, and dodged bullets, largely courtesy of poor finishing. Foggia would nick it 3-2 with a spectacular winner. It will remain in the pantheon of great Italian matches for me. A match that had everything.
Latina were across from Lazio for this evening game, and certainly, in the first half, they looked useful. They scored a cracking goal but then reverted to an old-school Italian philosophy; let’s sit on it. At Foggia, Monopoli coughed up goals against a short handed team, and as the home side here, they were once again left chasing matters, and in losing both, the problem was all too glorious to spot, they were wasteful in front of goal. Somehow, Latina knew all of this and were largely comfortable in defending their advantage. The Seagulls did enough to equalise at the very least, but it was another frustrating night, and the fans let the players know it at full time.
The half-time invitation into the hospitality zone was very much appreciated where some nibbles and local wine were quaffed. It all had the effect of reeling me in a little more. If I had a morsel of sympathy for the Seagulls (i gabbiani) of Monopoli, it was full blooded support thereafter.
Monopoli have always had a tradition, certainly in recent years, of being amongst the top 5 or 6 sides in Serie C, Girone C. Alas, as witnessed in these two 2024/25 games, an inability to score was costing them very dearly. It resulted in the club finishing 4th bottom, and they had to go through a play-out versus fellow Puglian side Virtus Francavilla, who finished third bottom, seven points adrift. Eight is the gap that voids these games, so in some regards, Monopoli were unlucky. However, their luck would finally bear fruit, when in the 96th minute, trailing 2-1 on aggregate to Virtus, a powerful header back across the goal found the opposite corner of the net to achieve parity. That was all Monopoli needed to survive, and the celebrations were as much of relief as they were of joy.
2- Monopoli 1-1 Avellino 2nd December 2024
Less than 10 months later I was back for the unique experience of seeing the two green and white sides going head to head. Alas, green seemed to have been forgotten for this match, with Monopoli wearing all white to Avellino’s all black. It was disappointing, surely someone could have gone with their home kit?!
The seagulls were back flying at the right end of the table, but so were Avellino, a club desperate to get back to its loftier vantage points of yesteryear. They would ultimately achieve that goal, winning the league, but here on the Puglian coast, the Wolves (lupi) as the Campanian side are known, had a real struggle on their hands. First half goals were traded, with Avellino’s being the pick of the two, and despite near things at either end, both had to settle on a draw. It was heartening to see Monopoli playing with some much more assurance and pace. Avellino were a very good team, confirmed by winning the title, so a point here was further evidence of the recovery by the home side.
3- Monopoli 3-2 Giugliano – 19th April 2025
There seems to be a time honoured new tradition of seeing Monopoli play twice a season. While game one of the ‘24/25 season was mid season and Monopoli were riding high, they hit a little wobble, then recovered. One man shone throughout the campaign was Ghanaian striker Philip Yeboah. He would strike, incredibly, Monopoli’s third goal in just 4 short first half minutes to put the Seagulls on easy street. They were in a joust with Crotone to finish 3rd in the table, a position that sees a few rounds in the play-offs skipped, and valuable breathing space in the race for that remaining promotion place.
They say a two goal lead is a dangerous scoreline, but it nearly came to pass that Monopoli spectacularly coughed up a third in this one. Giugliano thought they needed at least a point to creep into the playoffs in 10th place, something that wasn’t ultimately required as Trapani lost, but in this one, as previously witnessed at Benevento too, they just don’t give up. Twelve minutes remained, and they were back within a goal. The play raged from end to end, with the only positive for the suffering Monopoli fans being that Crotone were losing and third was assured even with a draw. They ultimately held on for the win, but it was an ending with some scary close shaves in what had been another absolutely absorbing match involving Monopoli.
When the dust settled, it was my first Monopoli win at the fourth time of asking, it had been long overdue. The playoffs saw them skip two rounds, entering at the first national phase, only two have a man sent off in both legs of the matches with Giana Erminio from Gorgonzola, going out 6-2 on aggregate with a brace of 3-1 losses.
So, as I prepare for Monopoli game 5, another midweek, under the lights affair awaits. The opposition will be Team Altamura in a third tier Puglian derby of sorts. Altamura is in the very northwest of Puglia, edging towards Basilicata. They survived season one in Serie C last term, claiming some notable results en route to safety. That second season syndrome might well come back to bite them and add to the notion the second time around is an altogether tricker show, as the signs of early season struggles are quite prevalent. What will they bring to the Veneziani? Only time will tell.
Next 1,2,3 to be decided, but with another 5 games booked for November in Italy, more north reaches. Cesena just might be incoming, albeit a whiley away!
Football Adventures with James Rendall 