If you look at other classic “real” derbys (teams from the same city) you will nearly always find additional fuel to pour on the fire. e.g. The “old Firm” in Scotland, Celtic-Rangers, is largely a religious war (catholics vs protestants), same goes for Liverpool-Everton and to some extent Arsenal-Spurs (interstingly enough Spurs has historically had a large jewish following). The Spurs fans call themselves “The Yids Army”). Aston Villa-Birmingham is largely an “upper class” vs “working class” type. So is any London team playing West Ham possibly with the exception of Millwall. Those fans argue over which had the toughest upbringing and are the poorest.

This is in stark contrast to for example Fulham playing any London based team. It is technically a “derby”, but really a non-event. Fulham fans wants to beat Chelsea badly (as it is just down the road), but it is not like you have riots or anything and Chelsea is of course more worried about the other big 4 clubs.

Finally there are a few classic pure sports motivated derbys, such as Arsenal-Chelsea. Same can be said to some extent for Man U – Liverpool, although given the proximity of the cities and their history, you get the Rotterdam – Amsterdam effect also.

Then you also have Real – Barca, which has pretty much everything listed above plus the nationalistic angle (Spain vs Catalonia)

I’ve been lucky enough to have been in the stands for all of the games I have listed above. I just love derby’s of all kinds. The best part is actually before and after the game. It’s priceless!!! Highly recommended. In the eighties it also was a lot more dangerous so you got a bit of the extra adrenalin rush, a bit like running with the bulls in Pamplona I guess . These days they are mostly so well policed that not much happens. So if you just use some common sense, you will have an absolute stormer of a day out.

Next one on my list to do sometime is Inter-AC Milan in San Siro.