Arsenal travelled to Madrid for the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final but the pitch in the Spanish capital was the subject of discussion after their defeat
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Athenea celebrating during Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Real Madrid won 2-0 against Arsenal in their Women's Champions League first leg tie
(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal men's star Ian Wright has hit out at the playing surface used by Real Madrid as their women's team bested their Gunners counterparts on Tuesday night. Wright's comments echo those of Arsenal boss Renee Slegers, who has called for women's football to prioritise improvement.
Arsenal and Real Madrid were drawn against one another in the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League, with the men's sides also due to face off in their equivalent competition in April. The women played their first leg in Madrid, whereas the men will play their second leg in the Spanish capital.
The venue for the game was Estadio Alfredo di Stefano. The stadium - home to Madrid's men's reserve team - was briefly used by the men's senior side while work was done on Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Linda Caicedo put Real Madrid in front before half-time, with Spanish international Athenea making it 2-0 late on. The return leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on March 26.
Slegers' concern was with the quality of the pitch, as playing conditions became noticeably tougher during the second half. And her comments were echoed by pundit and former England striker Wright.
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"It's not on me to criticise," Slegers said after her team's defeat. "It's obviously a club decision and I'm sure that Uefa is trying to create the best conditions for the tournament.
"Of course, the weather is not always in our 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."
Renee Slegers applauding after Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Renee Slegers voiced her concerns over the pitch in Madrid
Slegers and Wright weren't the only ones to comment on the pitch. TNT Sports commentator Lucy Ward noticed players struggling with the pitch and argued it was "awful".
"Watching the Champions League quarter-final. Real Madrid's pitch - this is worse than Derby's pitch the other day in the Conti Cup final," Wright said on social media. "This is a f***ing disgrace the pitches these girls have to play on."
Arsenal's Steph Catley putting in a tackle against Real Madrid
Arsenal have a two-goal deficit to make up in the second leg
Slegers said Arsenal were aware of the condition of the pitch ahead of the game and spoke about the challenges it provided. However, she also recognised the impact it had on forcing a change of approach several months into a long season.
"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," she added. "So then reality comes and these conditions come and all of a sudden you need to do things differently so that's hard."
Arsenal set up their meeting with Real Madrid after topping their group, pipping Bayern Munich with a late win on the final matchday. Bayern were also beaten in their first leg, losing 2-0 at home to Lyon.
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