Gerry Cardinale is about to return to AC Milan and despite the fact the team are struggling on the field his priorities will be to address off-field issues in the future.
The desire to build a new stadium alone has become apparent and La Gazzetta dello Sport have published a report outlining the pros and cons of each of the four sites that is currently being considered by RedBird Capital.
La Maura
Pros: The biggest and most obvious plus point is that it would be the only site that falls within the city limits and is just over 1km from the current San Siro, with the Metro about 800 meters away meaning it is well linked.
Cons: There would need to be approval regarding the change of purpose for the land given La Maura falls in the Parco Sud protected area. The land must then be purchased, and a preliminary sale has already been signed between the owners of Snaitech and F3A Green.
Therefore, an agreement between the public bodies – i.e. the Region, the Metropolitan City, the Municipality of Milan, the South Park Authority – and Snaitech would be needed. Residents must also accept, and last Sunday more than three thousand people created a human chain that surrounded the La Maura area to say no to the new stadium.
Sesto San Giovanni
Pros: There would be no rifts at the political level because the Mayor for the area Di Stefano is a great supporter of the hypothesis and was re-elected less than a year ago. The absence of bureaucratic frills such as public debate process helps, and the site is served by public transport (there is a Metro stop in Sesto, which offers quick connections to the centre of Milan and Linate). It was the first area outside the San Siro to have been personally viewed by the Cardinal, almost a year ago.
Cons: The main issue is that the former Falck steelworks area is at the centre of a multimillion-dollar battle between Hines – the current owner – and Intesa, the bank that leads the group of lenders. Milan also recently asked Hines to lower the purchase price.
Assago-Rozzano and San Donato
Pros: Assago-Rozzano seemed to spot that Inter were looking at in the event they build alone, but given the difficulties with the other areas the Rossoneri are at the moment looking wherever there is potential to be exploited.
In this case the area is near the Mediolanum Forum in Assago, on the border with Rozzano. There is the assistance of the two Municipalities: in view of Milan-Cortina, the anti-traffic plan is ready.
In practical terms, the area straddles two territories: when alighting the Assago Forum Metro station – the terminus of the M2 green line – it would be just a 300 metre walk to arrive at the identified space.
Another great point in favour is that the area has no restrictions of any kind, which would speed up the process a lot. The area belongs to the Cabassi family, Milanese entrepreneurs and builders, known for many real estate realities around the city. In the south-west area are the owners of the Forum and the creators of Milanofiori.
Cons: It is an area that Inter had their eyes on well before Milan and which could therefore create potential friction between the two clubs, if they decide to investigate this solution. San Donato is instead an option in the background and it has never been abandoned, but it is out to the south-east of the city which is more remote.
