Serie A

Ceferin on San Siro atmosphere for Champions League semi final 2nd leg: ‘Prefer a modern structure’

May 7, 2025

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Ceferin on San Siro atmosphere for Champions League semi final 2nd leg: ‘Prefer a modern structure’

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: General view inside the San Siro stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin notes he would ‘prefer a more modern’ stadium, despite the incredible atmosphere at San Siro for Inter’s Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

As the first leg was a 3-3 thriller, it means with no away goals rule, it is winner takes all at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the San Siro neighbourhood of Milan.

“It is a completely unpredictable game between Inter and Barcelona, so I say it’s 50-50,” Ceferin told Sky Sport Italia.

Ceferin unimpressed with San Siro atmosphere

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - JULY 06: Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA, looks on in the stands prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – JULY 06: Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA, looks on in the stands prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The UEFA President had been critical of Italian football stadiums earlier today, noting they were the worst in Europe and badly needed modernisation.

Considering the extraordinary atmosphere at San Siro, La Scala del Calcio, what does he think about the game being played here?

“San Siro is always great, but I would prefer a more modern structure,” replied Ceferin.

Inter and Milan want new arena

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 11: Players of FC Internazionale greet their fans after their victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Players of FC Internazionale greet their fans after their victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter and Milan have been trying for the best part of a decade to build a new arena, but faced continual problems from the local and national authorities, who do not want them to knock down the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The clubs argued restructuring work would be impractical when both teams play twice a week.

The current plan is for the two sides to buy the land around the stadium and build a new arena in what is essentially the car park of the current stadium.

“One of the cathedrals of European football.” 🏟️@Carra23 is locked in for Inter vs Barcelona at the San Siro 👏 pic.twitter.com/Fr6qqiCKDg

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 6, 2025