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What should have been a normal Serie A fixture between AC Milan and Como early in 2026 has caused a real storm.
Everything stemmed from the fact that San Siro is unusable from 6 February to 22 February 2026, because of the Winter Olympic Games that are being held in Milano-Cortina. That happens to be a period when the Rossoneri had a home game scheduled.
Ever since the clash became apparent, speculation followed about playing the game not only outside of the city but outside of the country. This then became an official league-backed plan to play the Como ‘home’ game in Perth, Western Australia.
Knowing the fall-out that would result, UEFA abstained from making a call on the game on the initial date that one was expected to arrive. There was a huge debate in the media, among fans and pundits, with the economic and the logistic factors laid out by both sides.
Plan scrapped
Pressure from FIFA and the demands of the Asian Football Confederation saw everything come crashing to a halt at the final hurdle. Yet, before the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final between Napoli and Milan last night, Simonelli claimed that the game will happen in Perth.
This was then walked back by various other figures – including the FIGC president Gabriele Gravina – and it forced Simonelli to adjust his claims in an interview over the weekend. He also revealed when the game will now be played.
“Milan have been eliminated from the Coppa Italia and the game will be scheduled as soon as possible, on a Wednesday when San Siro is free from Inter’s Champions League commitments,” the president stated.
Now that the venue is finally set, Lega Serie A must find a date to play Milan-Como at San Siro. As explained by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the most likely option is Wednesday, February 17.
If Inter were to play a Champions League knockout game at home on that day, the match would need to be pushed back by seven days to February 24. Finally, though, we have a bit of clarity.
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