The Derbyless City (An Emotional Map of Berlin Football)

The Derbyless City uncovers the hidden world of Berlin football, revealing a rich and complex culture that extends far beyond the bright lights of the Bundesliga.

Written by journalist, photographer, and Berlin resident Damiano Benzoni, the book combines lived experience with extensive research. Blending reportage-style storytelling, personal reflection, and evocative photography, it offers an immersive portrait of the city’s football landscape.

This innovative work:

• Takes readers on a journey through stadiums, neighborhoods, and fan communities
• Looks beyond elite football to spotlight dozens of clubs across East and West Berlin
• Explores identity, memory, and division through the stories of teams such as Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin, alongside grassroots and migrant-founded clubs
• Moves from the grandeur of the Olympiastadion to the intimate terraces of the Alte Försterei, passing through smoky pubs, kebab shops, and quirky local pitches that define the city’s football culture

Part travelogue, part cultural study, The Derbyless City is essential reading for anyone interested in football culture or sports writing with a strong sense of place. It asks a compelling question: why does a city with such a vivid and passionate football identity remain “derbyless” at the highest level?