With the coronavirus sweeping through Northern Italy, in Napoli things were very different as the Neapolitans seemed more concerned with the arrival of Lionel Messi in their city than the possible pandemic.


Beyond some talk in bars over the city, with the news on in the background, references to the outbreak were scarce. There was a carefree attitude which became apparent later in the Stadio San Paolo.

Masks which are now common in the north, were scarce in Napoli and not many of the 50,000 fans who packed into the stadium had them on.

However, even with the seeming lack of worry, there were plenty of people looking to profit from the situation as there were plenty of masks for sale outside the ground, though no one took too much notice.