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Giancarla Gariati is an 89-year-old woman who has been following Inter from the stadium steps since 1962. Her love for the black and blue team came from her husband. But even after his death, Giancarla says that he left her a very special legacy.
In an interview with "Corriere Italia", the 89-year-old says that when her husband was about to die, he left her the wish to go to the stadium alone. Of course, Giancarla sent word to the country and since that day she has continued to follow Inter like a true "ultras".
Do you go to the stadium alone?
Of course, sometimes I do. I live in Quarto Oggiaro. First I take tram 40, then line 64 which stops in front of the stadium. I've been doing this route for 30 years. The drivers already know me.
Where did this passion come from?
I have always been an Inter fan. I was born into a family of 11 children. They were all Milan or Juventus fans. I was the only one who was an Inter fan because I liked the colors. I always wore something black and blue.
A love story that was born in childhood and lasted a lifetime...
Giancarla, 89, is one of the most beautiful figures of Interism. Born in Vigonzone, a village in the municipality of Torrevecchia Pia in the province of Pavia, to a poor family, she moved to Milan as a young woman to help her family. She doesn't use WhatsApp "because I don't know how to send messages"; and her story can only be learned in two ways, by calling her or meeting her in the queue outside the entrance to the blue sector 2 of the Meazza. Easy to spot, contagious enthusiasm, black-and-blue manicured nails and Inter kit.
How did you meet your husband?
After working in the countryside, at the age of 14 I moved to Milan and started working as a maid in the family of Count Ferretti. One day Ercole came with his boss, they were upholsterers. I liked him, but I didn't understand if he was an Inter or a Milan fan.
What kind of fan was he?
Interist, of course. Since that moment we have never been apart. In 1962 we got married and got our first subscription. As a wedding gift he gave me a black and blue scarf that his grandmother had knitted for him when he was 8 years old. I still keep it, even though it is full of holes. I have it somewhere in a drawer, I have to find it for the final.
A black-and-blue love that brought them even closer together...
We loved each other very much and Inter brought us together even more. I can't describe how happy he was when we first went to San Siro. We always went, even to the training center in Pinetina. One day, while we were having lunch, we heard on TV that there was going to be training. We dropped everything and left immediately. That's how we were.
Then came the illness...
At 16 months he died. I felt lost. It's a treacherous disease, it doesn't allow you to speak, but you remain lucid and conscious. He spoke to me with his eyes.
What did he tell you?
Giancarla, go to the stadium even if you're alone." He was hospitalized in the San Carlo hospital. From the window he could see San Siro and he was pointing at me with his eyes. "Ercole, try to get well, then we'll go together. Without you I'm lost." He wanted me to keep going, even though tears were flowing from the pain.
He never returned to the stadium?
Just once. I took it out secretly.
How did you do it?
He pretended to have a baptism to get permission from the hospital. It was the last time. He was so happy! He couldn't speak, but his eyes were shining with joy.
He returns to San Siro... alone but with Ercole's spirit by his side.
After his death I didn't want to go anymore, but one day Ileana, the secretary of Inter, called me: 'You have to do it, Ercole would like it.' The next year I got the subscription again and I keep renewing it. I always take a photo of my husband with me, so that it is always with me. He has never left me.
Her idols?
Zanetti and Fachetti. Also Mazzola, Suarez, Corso. I've been going to Mariolino's grave for years. At home I have photos, objects, posters of all the seasons and players. It looks like a museum.
The treble of 2010?
An incredible joy. I remember the morning after the final. Dressed in black and blue, I left the house to go to my village. On the road, I met a group of young people who had been partying all night. I joined them and we celebrated together for a few minutes.
Inter has honored...
Unbelievable. I, a girl who once didn't even have shoes to wear, found myself at San Siro with Zanetti and D'Ambrosio. More than 60 years together. I say Inter should be proud of me.
But now I won't renew my subscription...
"Only because of age. I can't leave the team. I haven't been feeling well in recent days, I was sad and I was afraid I wouldn't be back at San Siro. But I will always be by Inter's side and I will follow it with my radiolino."
Radiolino?
Like when I was young and working as a waitress. On my days off, I would walk around Milan with the radio in my ear. I can't live without it. During the pandemic, when the matches were without fans, I would go to the San Siro square and listen to it on the radio. What a celebration when Darmian scored the title goal against Verona!
Now it's time for the Champions League final, the seventh for...
I don't know if I'll see it on TV. Maybe I'll walk around with the radio in my ear and occasionally glance at the television. Against Barcelona I was ready to burst with joy. How nice it would be if my Ercolino were here for such an important match... Oh my God... But, in my heart, I know: He's here. He's with me. He's cheering for Inter.
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