Ball bouncing like a rabbit; pitch like a sauna: Criticism mounts on pitches used for Club World Cup
The criticism of ground conditions in the Club World Cup has escalated after PSG manager Luis Enrique Paris claimed that the 'ball bounced like a rabbit' at Seattle's Lumen Field, where his European champions scraped past Seattle Sounders 2-0.
The grass was patchy in places and broke up with every step. Enrique fumed in the press conference: 'I wouldn't imagine a NBA court full of holes. The ball bounces almost like if it were jumping around like a rabbit.' 'Lumen Field is an example, it used to be artificial turf and now it is natural grass and they have to water it by hand – they did so at half-time but the field was dry again in 10 minutes. For our game this a problem. It's very different to European pitches. The grass is different and therefore it is not so easy to have the same smoothness to play our style – but we did adapt well and we're very happy,' he added.
With the World Cup just a year away, the pitch conditions have been a concern throughout the tournament. Five of the venues from this year – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Lumen Field – will also host World Cup matches. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham too admitted his worries. 'The pitches aren't great, honestly mate, I won't say really that it's hell for one (team). It's the same for everyone. I'm only saying because you asked me but the pitches aren't great at all,' he said. 'It holds up the ball, the way the body balances, it's tough on knees as well. Hopefully, they'll look into that going into the World Cup next year. It's important we protect the players and give those fans watching a spectacle and giving them great games as well,' he added.
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac likened the conditions to 'a sauna'. Playing surfaces were a cause of concern during the COPA last year as well, with Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez calling the pitches 'a disaster'. Peru manager Jorge Fossati identified a reason for its sluggish nature. 'I realise that this is a grass field today but it's not normal grass. It's not grass that's born, and grows (naturally). It's a grass they bring in from elsewhere. That can be a bit of a harder surface,' he had said.
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