Alessandro Costacurta, a former defender for AC Milan, remembers his first visit to San Siro when he was 12 years old. He and his brother attended a match against Bologna, but the experience was cut short by heavy rain, prompting their father to leave after just 15 minutes. Despite this early memory, Costacurta went on to join Milan's youth academy and eventually made 663 appearances for the club. He played alongside some of the most iconic defenders in football history, including Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Mauro Tassotti. Costacurta believes the back four he played with may be one of the greatest ever, both in terms of skill and the length of their careers together. San Siro, the iconic stadium that has been the home of both AC Milan and Inter Milan for decades, was opened on 19 September 1926. It is set to be replaced by a new stadium after Milan and Inter jointly purchased the land from the city council at the end of 2025. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the new stadium planned to be completed by 2031 in time to host matches during Euro 2032. The new venue will be designed by architectural firms Foster + Partners and Manica, and will include new retail and hospitality areas around the site. This project is a key part of RedBird Capital Partners' long-term vision for the city since their takeover of Milan in 2022. Costacurta has noted that San Siro is not a modern stadium, pointing out the lack of elevators, outdated lounges, and notoriously uncomfortable toilets. He describes the stadium’s steep stands as unique, giving fans the feeling of being in a tower above the pitch. Originally built with four stands for 35,000 spectators, the stadium was expanded in 1955 with a second tier and completed with a third tier before the 1990 World Cup. Despite its age, San Siro has remained a beloved symbol of football history in Milan. While Milan and Inter are fierce rivals in football, Costacurta notes that the rivalry is not as bitter as in other cities. He recalls the satisfaction of beating Inter at their home ground, such as a 6-0 win in 2001. The new stadium is expected to bring in new revenue streams, which could help both clubs compete more effectively, especially against teams in the Premier League with larger financial resources. Some parts of the old San Siro may be preserved in the new development. Costacurta compares the change to Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, noting that while transitions are initially difficult, a new stadium can ultimately become a great success.