‘Historic moment for Inter and AC Milan’ in first derby as stadium owners

Inter President Beppe Marotta and AC Milan President Paolo Scaroni held a joint interview to celebrate the first Derby della Madonnina at a stadium owned by the two clubs. ‘We must make the new arena just as iconic.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a special derby, because it comes just weeks after the two clubs finally completed the purchase of the land around the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, meaning they are playing in an arena that they own.

It will eventually be knocked down, to build a new modern structure in what is effectively the car park of the current stadium.

“It is an historic moment and a date that will remain in the history books for all of Italian football, as it is the first time two clubs have come together to take such a big step,” Marotta told DAZN Italia.

“We must have respect for this structural icon, which was the container for great passion and memories, so our objective is to build a new container that can be the scene for many more wonderful moments.”

Scaroni stood by Marotta’s side in this unusual joint interview, which was staged to mark the occasion of the takeover, a project over a decade in the making.

“We have been sharing the stadium for many years, it’s just that now we are the owners,” said Scaroni.

“It has been a long journey together to reach this point, it took a very long time, but great things do take time. We are very happy with what we have done.

“Now we need the new stadium to be just as iconic as the one the two clubs had so much success in over all these years.”

As if to make it even more exciting, this is also a battle at the top of the table, as only two points separate them going into this weekend.

“We worked to make the team competitive, I think we achieved that. As Max Allegri rightly says, we cannot really see the title race until March, but we are confident and optimistic,” added Scaroni.

“We are in perfect agreement with Inter over the stadium and many other issues, but for the next 90 minutes there will be only a great rivalry.”

Marotta agreed that the joint interview didn’t mean the rivalry was any less intense.

“This is the great thing about football, on the one had it unites you, on the other there are results that become fundamental.

“It is a special derby for what it represents and the moment it arrives in. I do think there is still far too long to go, too many points, and too many more rivals to step up before considering the Scudetto race.”

Finally, Marotta reiterated that Inter are ready to postpone some games if it will make it easier for Italy to prepare for the World Cup play-offs in March against Northern Ireland and, one hopes, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.

“The Nazionale is a treasure for the entire football movement, so we as clubs must put them in the best condition to participate in these play-offs. Italy cannot miss out on a third consecutive World Cup, these are fixtures that are tough, but within reach for the Azzurri, so it is only right that clubs put themselves at their disposal to make this easier.”