What you need to know for your trip to Bergamo

When FC Bayern travel to Bergamo, the fans in South Tyrol too are looking forward to the Champions League round of 16 first leg. Andreas Steinmann from fan club Weinbeisser Kaltern provides some insights into what Bayern fans can expect in Lombardy – from the special atmosphere at the stadium to his personal tips for the city, matchday and stadium.

Bayern fan Andreas’ insights: What you need to know for your trip to Bergamo

The vineyards around Kaltern are still in hibernation above Lake Kaltern, with the peaks of the Dolomites towering above them. But in a clubhouse in the village, the focus is on something else: the round of 16 first leg against Atalanta on 10 March at 21:00 CET – and of course FC Bayern. The red and white passion is palpable.

This is where the Weinbeisser Kaltern fan club meets. Around 350 members share the same passion. Bayern fans from the South Tyrolean wine village have been regularly travelling to Bayern matches for decades – usually via the Brenner pass to Munich.

Andreas Steinmann is in the thick of it. “The South Tyrolean football fans are basically divided into two camps,” he tells fcbayern.com. “Some follow Serie A, while others have always rooted for the big Bundesliga clubs. The Bavarian mentality is just closer to our hearts.”

How an idea grew into a fan club

The history of the fan club began in 2007. Many Bayern fans from Kaltern were still members of a fan club in Bolzano back then. When the club disbanded, some like-minded fans saw an opportunity. “The idea of our own fan club in Kaltern had been floating around for some time,” Andreas recalls.

On 12 December 2007, the time had come. Founding president Manfred Pernthaler, his then deputy Tobias Gutmorgeth – now the president of the club – and six other Bayern fans officially launched the Weinbeisser. The name is no coincidence. “We were looking for something that suited our roots,” says Andreas. “A glass of Kalterer See was usually part of our meetings, so we settled on the name Weinbeisser.”

A Bayern matchday in South Tyrol

When FC Bayern play, the fans in Kaltern gather. The members watch every match together. “We celebrate, suffer and discuss here,” says Andreas: “And if there are setbacks, it’s easier to get over them as a community.”

The joint trips to Munich are special highlights. For home matches, the busses usually leave in the early morning. There is a break at a service station along the way and the members usually head to the centre of Munich before making their way to the Allianz Arena. After the match, they go back home. “We sometimes take an extra day for away matches.”

The tradition in Kaltern goes back a long way. As early as the 1960s and 70s, many South Tyroleans followed FC Bayern. In the days of the Olympic Stadium, they made many trips to Munich, long before official fan clubs existed.

From Beckenbauer to Pavlović

Their favourite players reflect how many generations there are in the fan club. The older generation still raves about Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Sepp Maier. The founding members grew up with Lothar Matthäus and Mehmet Scholl.

The fan club members will never forget a special visit: David Alaba attended a Christmas party in Kaltern in 2012. Players like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane are very popular with the younger fans, but also home-grown talent Aleksandar Pavlović is a favourite.

Atalanta from an Italian perspective

FC Bayern has enjoyed great respect in Italy for decades. “FCB is perceived as one of Europe’s great traditional clubs here,” says Andreas. Many Italian fans remember the legendary European Cup encounters with Munich.

However, their opponents from Bergamo have also made a name for themselves. “Atalanta was a typical mid-table club for a long time, but over the last few years, the club has established itself among the Serie A top teams, regularly taking part in European competition.”

The New Balance Arena is considered one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Italy. “It’s compact, the fans are close to the pitch and it’s incredibly loud,” Andreas describes the atmosphere: “Bergamo is buzzing, especially during European matches.”

Experience Bergamo – Tips for Bayern fans

Fans travelling to Bergamo for the match should definitely explore the city. Andreas recommends a visit to the Città Alta, the historic upper town on the hill. The medieval alleys, the view of the Lombardy plains and the unique atmosphere make it an absolute highlight.

In culinary terms, Bergamo is known for its hearty dishes from Lombardy, including lots of polenta, butter, sage, cheese and rich flavours. Getting there is easy. The stadium is about a 20- to 25-minute walk from the city centre, and several buses run from the train station to the stadium. Orio al Serio airport is only 15 minutes away.

However, Andreas advises Bayern fans to give themselves plenty of time: “Be there at least 60 to 90 minutes before kick-off.” It gets very crowded around the stadium early on, and the atmosphere is palpable long before kick-off.

A personal Bayern moment

His connection with Bayern began about 20 years ago, with a bus trip to Munich. “My godfather took me along,” says Andreas. “The long journey, the many fans on the bus and then the large stadium – it was a fantastic adventure for me.”

A particularly emotional moment followed in Kaltern many years later. In 2023, the traditional Dream Match was staged, organised by the fan club on behalf of the Bayern fans from South Tyrol. “To be so close to our stars after months of work was simply priceless.”

What Mia san mia means to Andreas

For Andreas, FC Bayern’s famous motto means more than just confidence. “Mia san mia means solidarity and a firm belief in your own strength, whether after a defeat or before a big final.”

Andreas’ message to all Bayern fans

His advice: “Enjoy this European Cup trip to the fullest. Stroll through the narrow streets, try the food and soak up the atmosphere at the stadium.” He adds one more wish: “European nights are something special. Support the team loudly, stay fair – and return with unforgettable memories.”

There’s no question this includes a Bayern victory for Andreas.

A closer look at our upcoming opponents: