From Classrooms to Stadiums: A FIFA Master Journey Through Italy
Two months into the SDA Bocconi Module and the city of Milano has officially become a second home. Speaking for myself, my walks to school involve me passing by two bakeries where the smell of espresso and fresh bread remind me to savor every second while our final month and a half is closing in.
As our studies have continued, we have embarked on a management-oriented couple of months, where classes involving sports finance, strategic planning and digital marketing have consumed our minds, preparing and shaping the next generation of managers in the world of sports.
To bring our academic learning to life and apply it in a real-world context, we have had the incredible opportunity to visit first class organizations, consistently gaining exclusive, behind-the-scenes insights. Among these visits, we had the privilege of touring Ferrari, Sky Sports, and Vero Volley, gaining valuable exposure to how these organizations utilize management tools to drive their success. A personal highlight to these company tours was being hosted at Casa Milan by the CEO of AC Milan, Giorgio Furlani, and CCO Maikel Oettle, where we learned about the club's remarkable restructuring and how they transformed it into a profitable institution.
Outside of our studies, my classmates and I have not only explored the vibrant city of Milan but have also taken advantage of Italy's efficient train system to travel around the country. Notable trips, as shared by my peers, included visits to Verona, Venice, Parma, and Florence, where activities ranged from wine and cheese tastings to sailing through the canals of Venezia.
Serie A matches and Champions League fixtures have also become a regular occurrence for us. With Milan feeling like a second home, the San Siro has also become a familiar destination, as trips to the stadium have become the norm. Among the unforgettable football matches, we had the pleasure of witnessing Lautaro Martínez's hat trick against Monaco. Other games that are already on our footballing calendar include AC Milan vs Feyenoord, as well as a future trip for Juventus vs Atalanta in Torino.
As our time in Milan draws to a close, we are looking forward to indulging in the finer aspects of life here, including the exceptional food, coffee, and wine as this part of our FIFA Master journey is passing by at a rapid pace.
By Marko Bosnjak
FIFA Master 25th edition student
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 12 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
