Inter Milan President Steven Zhang and his AC Milan counterpart Gerry Cardinale still have not spoken publicly, and aren’t likely to this evening.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that the new stadium issue is a key reason behind the two men’s increasingly cold relationship.
During the first leg of Inter and Milan’s Champions League semifinal tie last week, Zhang and Cardinale snubbed one another.
The two men did not greet each other or speak publicly during the match.
As a matter of fact, the two club Presidents have yet to hold a public meeting. There is a sense that the two have very cold relations despite being in charge of two of Italy’s biggest clubs on opposite sides of the city divide.
According to Tuttosport, this is likely to continue to be the case this evening.
As with in the first leg last week, Zhang and Cardinale likely won’t speak. This will also mean that the customary pre-match lunch between the two clubs’ sets of directors won’t be held.
Tuttosport notes that, whilst Inter have tended to participate in the UEFA lunch, Milan have not done so since the 2020-21 season.
Stadium Situation Drives A Rift Between Inter Milan & AC Milan Presidents
According to Tuttosport, one of the key reasons that Zhang and Cardinale are not on good terms is the new stadium situation.
For several years, Inter and Milan had been looking to build a new stadium together to replace the San Siro.
However, the Rossoneri eventually lost patience with continued bureaucratic delays. Milan reportedly have all but abandoned the existing plans.
Instead, the Rossoneri will look to pursue alternate plans so that they can start construction quickly. This would be without Inter.
The Nerazzurri have been left somewhat mystified by the way their city rivals are approaching the situation.
With Inter feeling in the dark regarding such a crucial aspect of their plans, Zhang and Cardinale are not seeing eye to eye.
