SHOWDOWN IS POSSIBLY SAN SIRO’S FINAL FLING

PERHAPS the world’s most evocative stadium is gearing up for another great European occasion — although the Champions League semi-final between AC Milan and Inter Milan could be the last of its kind to take place at San Siro. Tonight, nearly 76,000 supporters will climb the spiral staircases to watch these rivals fight for a spot in club football’s ultimate fixture — the first time they have met in European competition since 2005. Yet with both sides getting itchy feet, the future of San Siro is in real doubt.

San Siro belongs to Milan council, a stumbling block for both clubs who would crave the additional revenue from owning a stadium rather than leasing it. If Milan and Inter can produce a viable plan, they will leave San Siro and the ground could even be knocked down — a sad sight for supporters across the world.

The problem is that neither club can quite decide what the next step should be. Do they want to continue sharing a smaller, more modern ground close to San Siro, or move to another venue outside the city? Do they even want to carry on sharing at all? No wonder Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala has told the clubs to get a move on.

‘It would be such a shame to leave San Siro,’ said Inter fan Riccardo yesterday. ‘I’ve been to grounds all over the world and for big games, there is no atmosphere like it.’

Milan supporter Manuela disagrees. ‘It is time to move on,’ she said. ‘The ground is too big and hardly ever full. We need a modern stadium like the one Juventus have.’

Yet tonight, San Siro is the place to be. Fans of 124 nationalities have bought tickets. As the designated ‘home’ team, Milan will have the majority of the supporters for the first leg, Inter for the second.

‘We are expecting a packed stadium, full of people with great energy,’ said Milan boss Stefano Pioli. ‘We will try to ride the wave with our fans.’ Next week it will be Inter’s turn, as football traditionalists across the world hope this is not San Siro’s final fling.