Aurelio De Laurentiis does not hold back and puts his face, once again, on the infrastructural future of Napoli: speaking to the microphones of Radio CRC, the blue president has outlined a detailed overview of the situation of the Maradona stadium and on the project of the new sports center, two fundamental pillars to relaunch the club even off the pitch.
"Mayor Manfredi he's doing his job well – De Laurentiis began –. If I were to leave Maradona, I would create a major problem for him. He and the assessor Cosenza, his mentor, are conducting all the necessary checks. But the problems are not limited to the third ring.”
The president explained how the current structure, dating back to 1959 and renovated for Italia '90, requires a thorough technical evaluation: "We need to understand if it is possible to intervene with an expansion up to 70 thousand seats, with 100 lounges for corporate hospitality. But the visibility of the match also needs to be improved: today the pitch is off-centre with respect to the stadium basin. Re-centring it would mean destroying the reinforced concrete of the authority stand and the changing rooms".
Criticism also about the presence of the athletics track: “In modern stadiums it should not exist. The fans should be the 12th man on the pitch, and instead the stands are 25 meters from the goal, losing seats and atmosphere.” A technical report on the fate of the stadium is expected by the end of the month: “Cosenza promised me: 'By April 30 I will give you a detailed report on what can and cannot be done.' I am available, and staying where Maradona played would be a joy.”
There is also plenty of space for the project of new sports center, the jewel in the crown of the club's future. Fabrizio is in charge of it Verse and David Iorio, charged with evaluating 18 different options. “Our agronomists are evaluating every plot: some are full of water, others have sand or toxic waste. In some cases, it is not possible to create even ten regulation fields.” The sports centre, according to the club's intentions, will have to host first team, Primavera and the entire youth sector, with adequate infrastructure and ample parking.
“On a Primavera pitch I want a 600-seat stand, which is necessary for the Youth League. At least four hectares are needed for parking alone, plus another two for the facilities. And let's not forget about transportation: we are talking to the CEO of Ferrovie to evaluate solutions. A 10-13 year old child cannot get there alone: connections and safety are needed”. De Laurentiis he said for sure about the start of the project: “The first stone will be laid on 1 ° September, I guarantee that the work will start by that date, if not before. The money? I'll put it up. No ifs or buts."
Article published on 19 April 2025 - 15:10
It is interesting to see how De Laurentiis is addressing the issue of the stadium and the sports center. However, I have doubts about how they will actually solve all the problems he mentioned in his speech.