The game against Real Madrid was not just positive for AC Milan in terms of the result, but it was also useful as a fact-finding mission too.
According to Tuttosport (via MilanNews), the visit to the Spanish capital helped Milan strengthen their ties with Real Madrid and draw some inspiration from the organisation and facilities that Los Blancos have. That includes the Valdebebas training complex, otherwise known as the Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid.
There was not only an institutional and political meeting between the two managements – headed by Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani and Real’s president Florentino Perez – but above all an observation of all the facilities that Real boast.
Their complex is viewed as one of the best in the world as far as football is concerned, up there with Manchester City’s in terms of its size and modernity. During the summer Milan carried out some improvement work on Milanello, with the aim of making it even more modern and efficient.
Seeing the Valdebebas in person – which during Covid was also the home of Real Madrid’s games, allowing the work on the new Bernabéu to continue without games in between – has given further food for thought to the Milan board.
They certainly have the desire to further improve their own training complex, but Milanello has a well-defined boundary in terms of land which could make things difficult.
All they need to do is go and see Tottenham training ground or now the new Leicester one. From what I see the Valdebebas training complex is all artificial turf (from pictures and maps). Why would you ever want to train and play on turf, in fact I think it should be banned alltogether as it is adding to players injuries.
Real aren’t winning because they have a good sporting complex, they’re winning because they have accumulated sporting prestige over the years through spending wisely and marketing themselves as the ultimate club to go to for a player. There was only one other club that could have done what they did and it was us. We were once an end game club. Other clubs have now almost passed us in that regard.
If this management wants this club to grow, then the only option is to build their own stadium, and supporting structures, we have out grown sharing facilities, every club has its own stadium, why can’t we have our own, in regards to Milanello, they can work on it gradually.
We have certainly outgrown not owning our stadium, but why can’t we co-own the best and most prestigious facility in the world?
This isn’t White Hart Lane or Delle Alpi, it’s San Siro!
I’m not against moving, but I’d rather stay.