FANS have reacted with horror to a new stadium renovation in Italy, claiming it will turn an iconic arena into a ‘toilet bowl’.
Social media erupted after plans for the new 30,000-seat stadium were released on Saturday.
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The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is about to undergo a major renovationCredit: Getty 
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The iconic arena is being completely revamped with a £167 million makeoverCredit: Getty 
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But fans are not impressed with the futuristic look of the new siteCredit: X / @IFTVofficial
The Renato Dall’Ara Stadium has existed since 1927 and is one of the most picturesque grounds in Italy.
With uncovered areas and sloping terraces, it remains one of Serie A’s most recognizable stadiums and incorporates nearby architecture into the stands.
The £167 million renovation work included the construction of a huge domed roof and the removal of metal structures installed for the 1990 World Cup.
But one fan raged at X: “This is terrible, it’s destroying a very good arena for modern football. So bad.”
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Another said: “Unfortunately another impersonal concrete statement. This is ruining our football culture.”
While a third fumed: “Another traditional stadium with character turned into a futuristic toilet bowl.”
Bologna is keen to renovate the stadium to make it ready for Euro 2032.
While the work is completed, they will play at a temporary location east of the city.
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Areas north of the ground on Via Andrea Costa will also be modernised.
After the dramatic changes, the stadium that hosts it has changed Champions League football this season – will be upgraded to UEFA Category 4, the highest level.
Fans of angry former Champions League finalists protest against club owner
The club plans to reduce capacity to just over 30,000, down from the current 36,000.
Bologna announces a partnership with Webuild until 2027 and wants to bring the stadium “in line with the best in the world”.
In a statement, the club said: “All seats will have an excellent view of the action thanks to the stands’ proximity to the pitch, approximately 7 meters from the playing field.
“Given the Webuild group’s world-class expertise in stadium design, the aim of the project – which involves a total investment of €200 million – is to renovate and increase the value of the ground, founded in 1927, while preserving public property.
“The Dall’Ara will be a high-quality facility that will be used seven days a week, in line with the best stadiums in the world.”
The new Champions League format is a snore-fest
By means of Then King
UEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each team playing eight matches instead of six in the opening stages, as a way to create more competitiveness and excitement.
The biggest clubs would play two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stages to meet.
The smaller clubs met teams of a similar level twice and had a chance at victory that was so difficult to achieve when you were the bottom seed in a group of four.
If we ignore for a moment that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself looks flawed.
None of the matches between European giants have produced a convincing contest so far.
And why would they? Why would a team with the ambition to win things in the spring go all out at the start of the long season with more games in the fall?
Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big teams to ensure they collect enough points to at least qualify for the play-off round (and more games).
There is even less danger than before.
Read the full column on the website Champions League format fails and why everyone – including YOU – needs a rethink.
Bologna enjoyed an excellent one Series A 2023–2024 season, finishing 5th and qualifying for the Champions League.
It was their highest-placed finish since 1971.
A series of frustrating draws have kept the club away from the European spots so far this season.
They currently sit 9th in the league despite losing just one of their first 10 games.
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