Como 1907: Spiritual element

Words: Brad Harper

Images: Brad Harper

Momentum is the spiritual element to life in football.

It appears unannounced, derived of fear, turning two pints into three.

“Son, I think we might win this.”

The turn of the new year lands me in Italy. For less than a price of a ticket to QPR a few days prior, I find myself at Lake Como.

©Brad Harper/ Terrace Edition. Como 1907 vs Bologna FC 1909.

A picturesque backdrop enough to turn any neutral into Comaschi – a juxtaposition of billionaire-backed ownership, celebrity endorsement whilst adorning a temporary stand, seating of yesteryear and smoking on the terraces.

Como is a club on a meteoric rise. Sitting sixth in Serie A, the prospect of European nights at the lake is enough to send any football whatsapp group into overdrive.

A swift 40-minute, four Euro train from Milan Centrale will find you standing in awe of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia – a landscape for the beautiful game unrivalled on the world stage.

Slow, intense, purposeful. Football on the continent moves to the rhythm of theatre, culminating in Como saving themselves via 90+5 Martin Baturina strike against 10-men Bologna.

That spiritual element takes the ultras to the gate to show their affection, and the same old cynical fan who wanted to escape the traffic home now running back (cigarette in mouth) to dance with neighbours.

In these moments you feel a dopamine hit. You grasp the artistry of the craft that comes with the camera, holding responsibility to a moment that needs to be captured but on reflection often wonder what I missed in the meantime.

We stood through that 0-0 in the rain for this. We felt the heat from the nearby away fans looking to make enemies even with the neutral with the camera for a piece of history worth capturing.

As I get older, I’m slowly realising that I am falling out of love with football. I miss the days of Joga Bonito, I yearn for flair and risk to return and Jay-Jay Okocha.

It is funny how the style of football you gravitate to impacts the style of imagery you levitate to. I like the abstract. Movement. Mad colours. Wholesome purity mixed in with raw emotion.

Como sits as one of the theoretical seven wonders of football photography.

It is bucket list worthy for any enthusiast and thankfully provides enough beauty where it is difficult to take a bad photo come the end of the trip.

Momentum also applies to our own adventures soaking up football culture.

Fulham next week, although I have a feeling I will still be reminiscing about Como.