AC Milan President Paolo Scaroni seems determined to smooth things over with fellow rivals Inter amid rising tensions between the clubs. During his latest interview with Corriere della Sera, Scaroni addressed the recent conflict sparked by Gerry Cardinale’s controversial statements aimed at Inter officials, particularly Beppe Marotta.
Marotta deemed Cardinale’s recent remarks ‘out of line’ after the RedBird Capital executive made severe accusations against Inter, implying the club was on the brink of financial ruin. Cardinale had harshly criticized the Nerazzurri's management, saying, "The Inter has won the Scudetto last year and then went bankrupt; is this what we really want?" This followed with Marotta's response, where he reminded the public of Inter's achievements and current situation, asserting, "We went from a loss of 246 million last year to merely 46 million this past year, all the time winning prestigious titles, including the Scudetto and Super Cup."
The conflict escalated at the worst possible moment, as Inter and Milan were supposed to work collaboratively on project plans for a new stadium. Instead, energy was wasted on this unnecessary quarrel. Acknowledging the need for reconciliation, Scaroni attempted to defuse the situation through his public statements.
"Cardinale, as a sportsman and not just a businessman, was referring to the previous ownership of Inter, not the current one," Scaroni explained. "On the field, we compete and want to beat each other, as we did in the last derby. Sometimes we tease each other humorously. But it’s clear there is mutual respect and loyal collaboration off the pitch. After all, we’ve shared the stadium for long, and we are working together on building a new one."
He emphasized the unique atmosphere of Milan, adding, "Milano is such a peculiar reality where fans can watch the derby side by side, enjoying it peacefully." This statement underlines the spirit of the city, where sporting rivalry exists but does not overshadow mutual respect among fans.
An upcoming milestone to note is the next duel between the two clubs, which will take place again in February. The stakes are high as both teams are performing well this season, and interest from their dedicated fan bases will only amplify as they approach this fixture.
Scaroni also took the opportunity to set goals for AC Milan for 2025. "We must strive to win and improve our standings because we want to see Inter closer to us on the leaderboard," he remarked, showcasing his intent not just to compete but to excel within the confines of Italian football.
Transitioning the conversation, Scaroni briefly touched on the recent leadership change within the Lega Serie A, expressing hope for positive changes under the newly elected president, Ezio Simonelli. "I believe, regardless of legal disputes surrounding his eligibility, the willingness to change expressed by 14 out of 20 clubs will prevail."
