The San Siro, football's Scala Opera House, prepares to host Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final... but what is the history behind one of the world's greatest stadiums?
- The stadium cost the equivalent of 550 Mercedes cars to build when it was constructed in the mid-1920s
- A series of world icons have played there, from John Charles and Pele to Diego Maradona and Ruud Gullit
- Fierce rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan have been shared tenants of the iconic stadium since the late 1940s
- It played a central role in the 1990 World Cup, which is seen as defining an era for many football supporters
- Bob Marley played his first-ever concert in Italy in the San Siro and many other iconic musical acts have visited
- Saturday's Champions League final will be the fourth time that the European Cup final has been held in the stadium
In polite company most people say they visited Milan to see the 650-year-old cathedral, Scala Opera House and fashion boutiques. Ask again in private and a large percentage will admit they were really desperate to go to the San Siro.
It cost the equivalent of 550 luxury cars, introduced Bob Marley to Italy and has a special place in the hearts of Germans since 1990. Jose Mourinho, who masterminded the only Treble in Italian history as Inter Milan coach in 2010, said: 'It will always be my favourite stadium.'
The vast, intimidating structure of today is relatively new. This imposing combination of car park and space ship had its last overhaul in preparation for the 1990 World Cup.
Saturday night's Champions League final at the San Siro, the fourth at the stadium, is between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
The San Siro was last overhauled ahead of the 1990 World Cup, where a match between Argentina and Camerooon reopened the stadium
The famous stadium is shared between Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan, with the fierce rivals using it as their home ground
A litany of famous players have played at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza over the years, including Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit
Eleven towers around the outside were added in 1987, four of which on the corners support the roof. The angular, red girders pierce the Milan sky and contrast pleasingly with the cylindrical towers.
Three steep tiers at each end and along one side give it the feel of a fervent, gladiatorial coliseum. Defeated players confess it can be a disorientating, claustrophobic cauldron of nightmares.
Holding a shade over 80,000 fans, the stadium has come a long way from its beginnings in 1925. AC Milan had been ground-hopping since their foundation in 1899, and president Piero Pirelli wanted a permanent base in the San Siro quarter of the city.
The venture, led by engineer Alberto Cugini and architect Ulisse Stacchini, cost five million Italian lire, which would have bought 550 Mercedes at the time. The compact, atmospheric stadiums in England were the principal inspiration.
It was completed in a remarkably swift thirteen and a half months. The 35,000 capacity venue was inaugurated on 19th September 1926 when arch rivals Inter beat the Rossoneri 6-3 in a friendly.
An aerial view of the San Siro in the city of Milan - Jose Mourinho has said it will always be his favourite stadium in football
The compact stadiums of England were seen as the example to follow when the San Siro was first built in the mid-1920s
Diego Maradona, right, took part in the game that reopened the stadium in 1990, but the result was not in his or Argentina's favour
Marco Materazzi and Rui Costa look out over the stadium as a derby between Milan and Inter is halted due to the flares on the pitch
The city council bought the stadium in 1935, and four years later it was adapted to fit an extra 15,000 spectators. England were guests of honour in the opening match at the renovated ground on May 13, 1939, drawing 2-2.
The Nerazzurri became the Rossoneri's co-inhabitants in 1947, and have shared the abode since. A decade later, as the European Cup began to make an impact, floodlights were added and the size swelled dramatically. Some estimates claimed there were as many as 100,000 crammed in for some matches.
The stadium hosted the first concert that Bob Marley played in Italy - it has also held concerts for Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and U2
A tifo revealed by fans of Milan ahead of a derby match against Inter, showing a player in red and white winning the ball in the air
When the San Siro was originally built it cost the equivalent of 550 Mercedes and held 35,000 spectators for the opening game in 1926
In 1967 more technology arrived in the form of an electronic scoreboard. When former superstriker Giuseppe Meazza died aged 68 in 1979, the ground was officially renamed in his honour. The double World Cup winner played for both Milanese clubs so the decision was a popular one.
Preparations for Italia '90 ushered in the next revamp and it was converted into an all-seater venue. Today, in our analytically thorough, modern times, modifications aren't confined to concrete, plastic and glass.
Milan calculated that 60 per cent of their injuries during 2011-12 season occurred at San Siro, which convinced them to replace the pitch. Inter agreed and Dutch company Desso laid a new hybrid playing surface in June 2012. The revolutionary turf was 100 per cent natural grass re-enforced by 20 million artificial fibres, and cost £200,000.
Ambrogio Pelagalli, Nereo Rocco and Cesare Maldini walk off the pitch after a game between Milan and city rivals Inter in June 1963
Brazil forward Pele shakes hands with Gianni Rivera after an exhibition match between Milan and Brazilian side Santos in November 1963
Liverpool players are left looking on unable to help after Mario Corso fires a ball towards goal for Inter in their European Cup semi-final
Mediaset Sport presenter and journalist Dario Donato grew up 100 metres from the Curva Sud (the AC Milan end). 'I have always been able to see the stadium from my balcony. We hear the roar from goals scored before they reach the TV. I wouldn't change the San Siro skyline for anywhere else, not even a balcony view of the sea in the Maldives.'
Donato continues: 'Sure it's not the most modern European venue, but it just needs a small restyling to be modernised. A stadium isn't only beautiful for its architecture, but also the feelings and sounds you find inside. And that's why the San Siro is unbeatable.'
But don't think it is just men kicking a ball who have delighted the masses. Reggae superstar Bob Marley gave his first Italian concert in the north-west Milan venue on June 27, 1980. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, U2, Depeche Mode and the Rolling Stones are other musical behemoths to have rocked the Lombardian night. And One Direction.
The legendary Welsh striker John Charles (No 9) played at the San Siro during his spell with Italian giants Juventus during the early 1960s
Fans of Inter spill on to the pitch after winning Serie A following their game against Modena, which finished 0-0, in May 1963
Inter left-back Giacinto Facchetti is held aloft by supporters of his club during the celebrations in 1963 that marked their title win
Final Destination
Back to the football, there have been three European Cup or Champions League finals at the Meazza. In 1965 local boys Inter, drilled to perfection by master coach Helenio Herrera, threw a damp, defensive blanket over Benfica's attacking fireworks to win 1-0.
Five years later Feyernoord became the first Dutch side to reign over the continent after a shock extra-time win against Celtic. On the last occasion the big cup was presented in Milan in 2001, penalties stole the limelight.
Bayern Munich and Valencia drew 1-1 after 120 minutes with both goals coming from the spot (Mehmet Scholl missed a penalty for the Germans too in the first half). Larger than life Oliver Kahn was the hero in the shootout, making three saves and the trophy went to Bavaria.
Oliver Kahn was the hero when Bayern Munich won the Champions League in the venue in 2001, saving three penalties in a shootout
The stadium has hosted three European Cup or Champions League finals throughout its history, the first one taking place in 1965
Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring Newcastle United's second goal at the San Siro in 2003 in the Champions League second round
The stadium is highly regarded across the football world - Leeds United fans still sing about Dominic Matteo's goal there in 2000
Andriy Shevchenko also deserves an honourable mention. The deadly Ukrainian scored a curious away goal in the 2003 Champions League semi-final second leg to put Milan into the final at Inter's expense.
What was unusual about Sheva's predatory finish was that although his team were the designated visitors, they were playing at their own home. 'The lights are always shining at San Siro, to me it's the most beautiful stadium in the world,' said the adored former Rossoneri No 7.
German fans of a certain vintage have a soft spot for the 90-year-old attraction. At the 1990 World Cup Franz Beckenbauer's ruthless team played five matches there, winning four on their way to becoming world champions for a third time. Lothar Matthaus and pals scored 13 goals in Milan, obliterating the UAE and a fine Yugoslavia side in the process.
Franz Beckenbaeur celebrates in the San Siro dugout, almost a second home to his side in 1990 as they played five games in the stadium
Striker Jurgen Klinsmann runs away in celebration after scoring for West Germany against Holland at the 1990 World Cup
A panoramic view of the stadium as former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise lines up a corner kick during a Champions League clash
Don't ask Argentines about that summer in Northern Italy. Diego Maradona's men opened proceedings at the Meazza after the chic, lavish opening ceremony. Once the razzle dazzle ended and the beautiful girls in avant-garde costumes had pranced off the pitch, the reigning champions lost 1-0 to Cameroon.
That group game did feature one of football's most outrageous assaults, when Benjamin Massing tried to snap quicksilver winger Claudio Caniggia in two.
An aerial view of the opening ceremony at the 1990 World Cup, which is regarded as defining an era of football for many supporters
The reigning champions of the world lost 1-0 to Cameroon shortly after the opening ceremony took place
Another Argentine, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simone (who played at the ground for two seasons for Inter between 1997 and 1999) will be hoping for a smoother ride than Caniggia. As a Nerazzurro Simeone beat Real Madrid at the San Siro in a 1998-99 Champions League group match.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane is plotting to humble the mattress makers and win the Blancos' 11th European Cup. The stylish Frenchman also has good memories of the Meazza. He was the brain of the merciless Juventus which crushed Milan 6-1 there in Serie A on April 6, 1997. He scored the second goal from the penalty spot.
It's the perfect setting for a clash of footballing styles which promises sparks. Who will hit the right notes at the stadium they call the 'Scala of calcio'?
The iconic defender Paolo Maldini, whose father also played for Milan, picks up a flare thrown on to the pitch by fans during a game
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