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Arsenal Coach Advocates for Improved Playing Conditions in Women’s Football
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has emphasized the necessity of better playing surfaces as the “next step for women’s football.” This call for enhanced pitch conditions follows critical comments made by Gunners legend Ian Wright, who labeled the playing surface at Real Madrid’s Estadio Alfredo di Stefano as a “disgrace.”
Wright’s remarks surfaced during Arsenal’s 2-0 loss in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final. Concerns about the playing conditions were evident, as the pitch, used by Real Madrid’s men’s reserves, quickly became unsuitable for optimal gameplay, hampering the flow for both teams.
This criticism echoes sentiments recently expressed by Chelsea players and various pundits regarding the subpar conditions during the Women’s League Cup final at Pride Park, home to Derby County, the previous Saturday.
Slegers, a former Netherlands international who took on the role of permanent head coach for Arsenal in January after a successful interim period, acknowledged that the wet and muddy pitch had a tangible impact on her team’s performance against Real Madrid. “We recognized the pitch’s condition and discussed it with the players beforehand,” she noted.
Looking ahead, the Gunners will face Real Madrid again in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on March 26. When questioned about whether the prestigious Bernabeu stadium should have served as the venue for the first leg, Slegers refrained from criticizing the decision. “It’s not my place to judge,” she stated. “It’s a club decision, and I trust that UEFA aims to provide the best circumstances for the tournament. Weather conditions, of course, are beyond our control.”
However, Slegers highlighted a worrying trend: “We’ve witnessed several recent matches where pitch conditions have been less than ideal, and I believe that addressing these issues is vital for the advancement of women’s football.” She also reflected on the challenge of balancing established game strategies with the realities of less-than-ideal playing environments: “Over the course of a season, you develop a distinct identity for your playstyle. When confronted with difficult conditions, adapting can be challenging.”
Source
www.bbc.com