Arsenal boss Renee Slegers admitted the conditions played their part after former Gunners striker Ian Wright branded the pitch a “f****** disgrace” during their 2-0 Champions League defeat at Real Madrid.
A goal in each half from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo condemned Arsenal to a first-leg loss at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, the home of Real’s reserves, and left them with plenty of work to do in the return next week in north London.
Heavy rain in the Spanish capital had left the playing surface resembling a mudbath and Wright posted an angry video on Instagram, saying: “This is a f****** disgrace the pitches these girls have to play on.”
Slegers was a little more measured in her reaction, telling reporters: “We spoke about it with the players before the game.
“We knew the condition of the pitch. So we had a plan for it but then it’s always hard because over a season and over time you work on things and you have an identity the way you want to do things.
“So then reality comes and these conditions come and all of a sudden you need to do things differently so that’s hard.
“But the players tried so all credit to them for trying and their work rate. But again, I think we’re all confident that we can do something against them at the Emirates at home because it’s only half-time.”
We keep battling.
Thank you for the amazing travelling support, as always, Gooners. Get home safe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ufBgrhmfTI
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 18, 2025
Leah Williamson certainly seemed to be caught out by the poor surface when she let a harmless-looking ball from Signe Bruun slip under her foot.
Colombian forward Caicedo burst through and held off Emily Fox before burying her finish in the corner for a fourth goal in the competition this season.
The conditions may also have played a part when Real’s Melanie Leupolz injured her knee catching her studs in the mud, with the Germany midfielder departing the field in tears.
But Arsenal could not blame the pitch for Real’s second, eight minutes from time, when goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger let Del Castillo’s shot in through her fingers.
Asked whether Real’s main Bernabeu Stadium should have been used for a showpiece quarter-final, Slegers added: “It’s not on me to criticise, that’s obviously a club decision.
“I’m sure that UEFA is trying to create the best conditions for the tournament.
“Of course, weather is not within control but I think we’ve seen a couple of games lately where the pitch conditions haven’t been great and I think that’s the next step for women’s football to take.”
It was a big win for Alberto Toril’s side as Real Madrid had been winless in six previous meetings with English sides, all against Chelsea.
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