Gazzetta dello Sport reported yesterday that Milan are pursuing with their project of a new 50,000-seater stadium.
It seems that club CEO Barbara Berlusconi has just approved a proposal for the development of the new venue after identifying a site which is not far from the Rossoneri training centre.
According to Gazzetta, plans for the stadium also include high quality sound-proofing to keep noise levels down.
However, the process will be slow-moving as the club will have to convince the city council and residents that the stadium in the area would be a positive thing.
Dossena joins struggling Orient
Former Liverpool, Napoli and Sunderland defender Andrea Dossena has joined struggling League One side Leyton Orient.
The 33-year-old Italy international was a free agent after leaving the Black Cats at the end of last season.
Dossena, who scored against Manchester United and Real Madrid while he was at Liverpool, could make his debut for Leyton Orient in today’s FA Cup first-round fixture against Oldham.
Orient are 20th in League One after only winning one of their last eight league games.
Sassuolo keeper set for re-union
Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli is looking forward to an emotional reunion as Atalanta visit the Mapei Stadium this evening.
Consigli’s eight-year association with Atalanta ended in the summer as he moved east to Sassuolo and his new club are currently outperforming his last by two points and two places.
Sassuolo are unbeaten in four games and Consigli admits he will readily help hurt his former employers if it means extending that fine run.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve faced Atalanta. I’ve really been looking forward to this match, there are three important points up for grabs.
“We have to win, and we have the power to do so.”
Spahic extends Leverkusen deal
Bayer Leverkusen defender Emir Spahic has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep the Bosnian at the club until 2016, the German side said yesterday.
The rugged 34-year-old centre-back has brought in much-needed stability since joining from Sevilla in 2013 after spending the previous season on loan at Russian League club Anzhi Makhachkala.
“I am part of a superb, ambitious and developing team here in Leverkusen and think we can achieve more together,” the former Bosnia captain said.
Spahic, who has played in Croatia, Russia, Spain and France, has started nine out of 10 Bundesliga games this season, scoring once.
‘Greek Messi’ back at Panathinaikos
Greece midfielder Sotiris Ninis returned to his first club Panathinaikos this week after agreeing a two-and-a-half year contract.
He left in 2012 to join Serie A outfit Parma but found it difficult to recapture the form he showed at Panathinaikos where he was labelled the ‘Greek Messi’.
Ninis, who has scored three goals in 30 appearances for his country, had a spell on loan at PAOK Salonika last season but has been without a club since having his deal with Parma terminated in August.
Ninis was aged 16 when he became the second youngest player to represent Panathinaikos in a league match.
Torino apology
Torino coach Giampiero Ventura has apologised to the supporters following Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to modest HJK Helsinki in the Europa League.
It was the first defeat of the Serie A team in the group stage after being surprised by the Finnish champions. Ventura is demanding an immediate response from his players.
“I apologise to the fans who came this far to watch the team,” Ventura told reporters.
“Had we saved the match in injury time, my analysis would have been the same. You can’t expect to win in Europe if you can’t even win a tackle.”
Torino are second in the group on seven points, one behind Bruges and three clear of FC Copenhagen. HJK are bottom with three points.
United defender Rojo out for six weeks
Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo does not need surgery on his dislocated shoulder and could return inside six weeks, manager Louis van Gaal said yesterday.
The Argentine was substituted during the second half of United’s 1-0 derby defeat at Manchester City on Sunday, but after consulting a specialist on Thursday he does not require surgery.
“Marcos dislocated his shoulder but it wasn’t as bad as we thought at first,” Van Gaal said.
“We don’t need to operate on him, which is a relief, but maybe with this injury it is very difficult (to say) it shall not happen again.
“Conservatively, it can be less than six weeks.”