Soccer-Women's Milan derby follows Napoleon, naval battles and Berlusconi into historic arena

The first competitive game between Milan and Inter took place at the Arena in 1909 and a year later Italy played their first international match there in a 6-2 win over France. It was Inter's home between 1930 and 1947 before they moved to share the San Siro with Milan, who also used the stadium over the years.

Italy's oldest soccer ground, which has hosted Napoleon Bonaparte, naval battles and Silvio Berlusconi, was the setting for Inter Milan and AC Milan to play their derby game in the women's Serie A on Saturday.

Inter recently announced they would play the rest of their home games this season at the Arena Civica in the heart of Milan. The arena opened in 1807 in the presence of Napoleon, then ruler of the Kingdom of Italy, who had requested the construction of a venue befitting Milan and built in the style of the Roman amphitheatres.

For the grand opening, the arena was filled with water and a naval battle display took place, while the venue was also used for theatrical events and horse-and-chariot races. The first competitive game between Milan and Inter took place at the Arena in 1909 and a year later Italy played their first international match there in a 6-2 win over France.

It was Inter's home between 1930 and 1947 before they moved to share the San Siro with Milan, who also used the stadium over the years. In 1957, Milan moved a European Cup game with Glasgow Rangers to the arena because of fog at the San Siro. Silvio Berlusconi, later Italy's Prime Minister, launched his ownership of Milan in typically flamboyant style in 1986 by arriving in a helicopter at the arena.

Inter's women won 1-0 over Milan in their first-ever game at the historic venue on Saturday, to take them up to fourth in Serie A, seven points ahead of their city rivals in sixth.

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