Atlético Madrid will host Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Ahead of the game, Spanish media report that the pitch condition at the Metropolitano Stadium has raised concerns among players.
Two key Atlético players, Antoine Griezmann and Koke, have both stated that the pitch is in poor condition and not suitable for fast, precise football. “The pitch is not good; we slip easily and the turf lifts up easily. A team like Atlético needs a high-quality surface to play on, yet we’re also expected to…” the captain explained a few days ago.
Atlético have been struggling to maintain the newly laid pitch since the Miami Dolphins trained and played an NFL game at the stadium in late November last year. Although this has benefited the club’s image and finances, changing the pitch mid-season has created challenges.
The club hired GrassMaster Solutions, a leading Dutch company famous for its hybrid grass technology, to maintain the surface. However, recent rain, cold and snowfall in Madrid have left the pitch fragile and prone to lifting.Due to ten consecutive days of rain in Madrid, the pitch is expected to be heavy, and this effect will become more obvious as the game goes on. In recent matches, Atlético have indeed struggled to increase their tempo, which may be linked to the pitch condition.
The club has been working around the clock over the past few days to improve the pitch, but both Barcelona and Atlético will have to deal with this factor in the Copa del Rey tie.
