Season 1988/1989: If an Inter fan instantly recalls the Trap-inspired team that claimed the title, breaking records, an ultras supporter cannot forget how that season marked the birth of several Ultras groups in the Curva Nord, some disbanded, others still active. One of these was destined to embark on a very important path, becoming a reference point for the movement over the years and significantly contributing to the events of the following three decades: the Irriducibili. The thirtieth milestone coinciding with the Nord’s fiftieth anniversary couldn’t be random. The numerous individuals involved in this long period undoubtedly brought their style, fashion, and influences, demonstrating the general changes occurring in both civil society and stadium life. Nonetheless, the solid core values were never eroded by the passage of time.
These elements always took precedence: the group’s unity, the cohesion among its members, and the eagerness to contribute uniformly to its life. While it’s natural for more experienced and charismatic individuals to have had a more authoritative voice, as in any human assembly, it’s important to emphasize that every positive or negative episode, during easy or tough times, was always dealt with the utmost willingness and attention by every single member. The name “Irriducibili” was chosen, drawing inspiration from the Lazio group of the same name, which made its debut in the Roman Nord a year earlier. While the name’s meaning leaves little doubt about the concept intended to be conveyed right from the start, the direction taken concerning ultras-related matters was different from their Roman counterparts, who were not yet twinned at that time. In Rome, innovations in style, fan behavior, and aesthetics were introduced almost immediately, later adopted across Italy by almost all fanbases. In Milan, the context was different. Although the group’s debut with the banner occurred in the current second orange ring of the Meazza stadium, featuring the Corto Maltese as the initial symbol, the mold was that of the entire Inter ultras movement.
Those years concluded a decade that was positive for the curve, and a significant contribution came from the Skins, who, for about five years, elevated an already excellent quality level. True to their name “SKINS,” which emphasized a daily lifestyle beyond ultras, their attire mirrored the typical skinhead style: bomber jackets, combat boots, and suspenders. The spirit of emulation among Nord attendees, combined perhaps with a stylistic element that perfectly suited stadium life, led the Inter curve to display a “militaristic” imprint, more inclined towards simplicity and cohesion than special effects. Obviously, there were no traces of the choreographies that, 30 years later, became enjoyable habits and required engineering and computer knowledge. However, the fame earned by the Nerazzurri ultras was due to their sharpness and the perceived danger of their groups, and the Irriducibili were no exception.
After the dissolution of the SKINS in October 1990 and the brief yet rapid experience of the groups “Shining” and “Snakes,” the Irriducibili made their entrance into the Curva Nord, occupying the position they still firmly hold today. Initially, their political display, coinciding with a period when exhibiting certain symbols wasn’t persecuted as it is now, led to the convergence of individuals who somewhat forcibly viewed the group as a natural continuation of the glorious Skins. While their strictly match-related aspects didn’t have a significant impact in the 90 minutes, the number, ideas, and quality of its members furthered a life that was already fairly autonomous within the curve, almost disinterested in the affairs of other groups. This tendency increased with another event in the mid-90s. The group Nuova Guardia, which we can still define today as an action-oriented gang that positioned themselves in the second blue ring during home games, concluded their story after a few but intense years of activity. Several prominent figures, notably young at the time, moved to the Irriducibili, as it was seen as the group most similar to theirs, the most independent and tough.
During that time, their stringent political stance, which for many was more than just a trend but rather an involvement and belonging to very specific movements, led them to adopt a behavioral imprint that is still recognized today with pride and boasting. The group’s members paid close attention to the behaviors and habits of all the sector’s attendees, soon becoming a distinctive and initially somewhat maniacal feature that, over the years, diminished in intensity as the notoriety of this “magnifying glass” effect spread, becoming a normal and unremarkable aspect. It is well known that certain places, like the terraces, can become territories for specific habits. Therefore, vigilance was always high, and even today, the consequences of that early modus operandi resulted in a cohesion and appreciation for what could ironically be termed “health-oriented,” yet individuals who genuinely feel they are part of a way of doing things fully recognize themselves within it.
If these attentions were essential to establish a certain kind of regulation, the allure that this group exerted over many was the almost total lack of selection for involving new members. Apart from a few individuals who, as mentioned, entered the group following certain episodes, it was very challenging for those not involved in political activism to participate in the group’s life. Overall, this closed-door policy for recruiting new members had the positive side of cementing the unity of its components, and it bore fruit because it was a way of doing things that people liked.
Despite the difficulties faced by the most ambitious in gaining attention, it was a great source of pride for everyone to watch the matches in a sector whose very clear and innovative rules were shared and embraced with general enthusiasm. With the changing of the guard at the top, around the turn of the century, there was some renewal. The aspect of fandom, which until then had been minimal, received new impetus, following the trend that infected every Italian fan base at that time; the so-called “two-pole” flags began to take root in Italian terraces as a form of spontaneous choreography and autonomous participation. The Nord was no exception and repeatedly invited the masses to create a sea of flags.
Naturally, a cross-section of the fanbase composed of the more discerning individuals could not help but notice the flaws on the other side of the coin: stylistic deficiencies and, at times, inappropriate meanings were the negative aspects to consider. However, the group’s banners did not exhibit these deficiencies compared to the mostly uncontrolled majority. The Irriducibili also equipped themselves with such tools and produced a considerable number, coloring a section that had previously been gray and providing a remarkable sight that also conveyed a very precise message. Many youngsters understood this message perfectly, especially those who, while sharing the political faith, were more inclined to experience the 90 minutes of the game, prioritizing the strictly football-related aspect over other matters.
Unfortunately, one of these banners was created for a sad event; to this day, “LELE VIVE” (LELE LIVES) has been proudly displayed since the early 2000s, to honor the way of being and the attachment of a young man who passed away too soon, universally respected, and who exemplified the group’s spirit. The banners also featured references to the group itself, glimpses of Milanese life, and obviously, slogans perfectly coinciding between politics and the stadium. A new symbol appeared on the banner, aesthetically stable in its use after the initial array of flags; the first was the aforementioned Corto Maltese, rarely used and quickly replaced by the duo “paninaro” and Muttley (the famous troublemaking dog from the animated series).
The beloved character was properly introduced by the Zona Nera emblem, which together with Milano Front, were a pair of names that stood out in the Irriducibili section, tapering off almost naturally towards the end of the 90s. On a red field cloth, a logo dear to all Inter ultras was revived, the BULLDOG from the Skins; and it refers specifically to the original one that was part of the banner used by the group during its period of activity. Both due to the experience of some who lived through that five-year span and the dual stadium/political activity, the Bulldog gained ground and began to be printed on produced materials. It was another factor of great fascination that only exponentially increased the prevailing characteristics up to that point.
To complete the visual impact, two banners were placed above those of the group; the black text on a yellow background reading “Diffidati Irr” (Warned Irr), later predominantly used only for the DIFFIDATI section, is a tribute to the individuals affected by DASPO (a ban on attending matches) who therefore cannot physically attend games with their group. Over the years, various ministerial decrees increasingly complicated their display until it became impossible to introduce them even sporadically. The second was moved to the second railing, thus occupying a space left empty by other banners and featuring the impeccable concept: CUORE NERO SANGUE BLU (Black Heart, Blue Blood), which can still be admired today.
A highly significant episode that would remain etched in the memories, particularly of the younger members already actively involved at that time, had the potential to partly influence certain perspectives that had until then remained unshaken. Towards the end of the 2001/2002 season, just before the Inter – AEK Athens match, a glaring oversight could have had severe consequences; the Greek ultras took possession of the banner but, in turn, committed another unforgivable mistake by allowing the entire Inter stand to mobilize and retrieve it. The group, which until then had sought estrangement and independence, found itself involved in an incident that began to shake certain certainties for some, making room for a more unified vision initially aligned with the rest of the Nerazzurri supporters.
It’s important to recall the heightened political rivalry with the Rossoneri group, Fossa dei Leoni, traditionally associated with left-wing political circles, to which the chant “NOI NON SIAMO DEL LEONCAVALLO” (WE ARE NOT FROM LEONCAVALLO) was dedicated since its inception. Truthfully, this slogan was used more as a pleasurable habit, given the broad meaning it conveyed. It wasn’t necessary to wait for a derby to hear it; the rhythmic chant accompanied by clapping hands could often be heard, both during matches against other left-leaning fanbases and as an identity assertion. The roar was even more potent when combined with the rest of the stand, historically aligned with similar positions.
After the era of the “two poles” flags ended, the banners on the railings were filled with so-called “patches,” highly popular in Italy from the early 2000s, representing areas of belonging, subgroups, or simply ideas. The most notable were “Novara” and “Milano da bere” (Milan for drinking). The introduction of the “ACAB” patch, an acronym still unfamiliar and not banned in stadiums at that time, characterized the massive presence of skinheads and continued the group’s imprint. In 2007, the group was ready to confront the wave of repression and the tightening of laws following the death of Inspector Raciti. The historic patches on the banners allowed circumvention of the ban on using banners both at home and away, enabling the group to be the first in the Nord to identify themselves in the stands during matches, inspiring other groups to create new patches.
In the same year, the tragic events leading to the death of Gabriele Sandri deeply involved the group emotionally, and the actions that followed throughout the day had heavy repercussions on many Irriducibili. Another characteristic that distinguished the group throughout the 2000s was the creation of mini-choreographies that engaged the occupied sector. Countless choreographies were crafted for the second half of the derbies, while others were designed for special occasions. Notably, the “TRADIZIONE MENEGHINA” banner and the celebratory choreography for the twentieth anniversary stood out for their exquisite craftsmanship.
Due to the general changes occurring in the ultras world and the cyclically increasing repression (such as the introduction of the fan card), these were significant testing grounds in a growth process for a group that, despite being young both in age and experience in the immediate post-Treble period, underwent important trials.
Equally important was the discussion around the fan card, which decisively contributed to continuous training for the constant improvement and growth of the younger members. While almost all of Italy abandoned away trips, the Curva Nord, and of course, the Irriducibili, were among the very few who reluctantly adhered to it. They were aware that a hasty decision could have far worse subsequent effects. The generational shifts and changes that occurred over time did not erode the nature of the group. Within the journey that led the Irriducibili to spend 30 years at the forefront in the stands, each transformation contributed to reaching the present day with pride in what they represent.
The latest of these evolutions occurred after the tragedy of Dede’s death, a dear friend to many, the arrests following the clashes at Inter-Napoli, and the need for the entire Curva to raise awareness and undergo a renewal. This change deeply affected the IRR group. Individuals who had been active in the stands for years gathered, along with some already present in the previous management of the group, under a single banner: IRRIDUCIBILI. Two patches appeared, symbols of this unity: the wolf and 9.8. With this renewal, the aim, both then and in the years to come, is to live the Group as a Family.
The goal of the Irriducibili is to live life side by side with their friends, not limiting themselves to the stadium context but facing every battle together. Sharing joys, sacrifices, and difficulties. Fighting against the individualism deeply rooted in society, always prioritizing the common good over that of the individual, confronting social battles together on a daily basis. All this while trying to leave a mark on those who come into contact with what we could define as our Mentality, our way of living those terraces, and, more generally, everyday life. A way of life developed over the years and passed down to younger members by those who lead this Family.
As they approach the dawn of these first 30 years, the Irriducibili walk a single path, together.