Inter is one of the most supported clubs in Italy, according to an August 2007 research by Italian newspaper
La Repubblica. Historically, the largest section of Inter fans from the city of Milan have been the
middle-class bourgeoisie Milanese, while
AC Milan fans are typically
working-class and a significant portion are migrants from
Southern Italy.
The traditional
ultras group of Inter is
Boys San; they hold a significant place in the history of the ultras scene in general due to the fact that they are one of the oldest, being founded in 1969. Politically, the ultras of Inter are usually considered right-wing and they have good relationships with
Lazio. As well as the main group of
Boys San, there are four more significant groups:
Viking,
Irriducibili,
Ultras, and
Brianza Alcoolica.
Inter's most vocal fans are known to gather in the Curva Nord, or north curve of the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. This longstanding tradition has led to the Curva Nord being synonymous with the club's most die-hard supporters, who unfurl banners and wave flags in support of their team.
Inter fans celebrating in 2007.
Inter have several rivalries, two of which are highly significant in
Italian football; firstly, they participate in the inter-city
Derby della Madonnina with AC Milan; the rivalry has existed ever since Inter splintered off from Milan in 1908.
The name of the derby refers to the
Blessed Virgin Mary, whose statue atop the
Milan Cathedral is one of the city's main attractions. The match usually creates a lively atmosphere, with numerous (often humorous or offensive) banners unfolded before the match.
Flares are commonly present, but they also led to the abandonment of the second leg of the
2005 Champions League quarter-final matchup between Milan and Inter on 12 April after a flare thrown from the crowd by an Inter supporter struck Milan keeper
Dida on the shoulder.
The other most significant rivalry is with
Juventus; the two participate in the
Derby d'Italia. Up until the
2006 Serie A match-fixing scandal, which saw Juventus relegated, the two were the only Italian clubs to have never played below
Serie A. In recent years, post-Calciopoli, Inter have developed a rivalry with
Roma, having finished runners-up to Inter in all but one of Inter's five Scudetto winning seasons between 2005 and 2010. The two sides have also contested in 5 Coppa Italia finals and four Supercoppa Italiana finals since 2006. Other clubs such as
Bologna, and
Atalanta, are also considered to be amongst their rivals.