GENOA and Sampdoria are set to see their stadium DECREASE in capacity despite plans for construction and rebuilding being submitted.
The Italian sides, who share the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, can currently hold around 33,000 spectators but are willing to make that number even smaller in order to modernise.
Authorities in Genoa, where the ground is situated, have confirmed the plans but it is yet to be greenlit.
Blueprints for the revamped stadium include adding a roof, creating an away fan zone in the upper stands, more VIP areas, catering facilities, office rooms, and multipurpose sections.
There is also the aim to improve visibility for supporters and adaptations to make hosting concerts possible.
Other features are a museum for both clubs, shopping space, and refreshing the four towers on each corner of the structure.
The changes will come at the cost of around 400 seats in total but that would be reduced to 30,000 for Euro 2032, which is what all parties are said to be targeting.
The tournament will be hosted by Italy and Turkey with the stadium on a provisional shortlist for matches.
Sampdoria, who play in Serie B, are former Champions League finalists having been beaten 1-0 by Barcelona at Wembley Stadium in 1992, a game decided by Ronald Koeman’s famous thunderous free-kick.
Genoa could join them if they are not careful having started the season poorly with just three points and no wins from the opening seven matches.
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Samp are struggling in the second tier themselves and only have five points with one single victory.
The famous old club have slipped down the ladder but do boast the oldest sports stadium in the country.
The Luigi Ferraris, also known as the Marassi, was built in 1911 and saw the national side go almost 100 years without defeat there.
It is reported that the cost of the stadium development could be over £80million and will take almost three years.
