Arsenal were frustrated to lose the first leg of their Women’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium following controversy involving the pitch. Serious rainfall meant a mud-caked surface, with a less-than-ideal arena for the game.
It was so bad that one of Los Blancos' own players was injured as a result. Melanie Leupolz appeared to dig here foot into the turf trying to play a pass and jarred a knee which she had only recently come back from injuring.
Arsenal legend and avid advocate of the women's game Ian Wright took to social media to voice his frustrations with the pitch which he likened to the Women's League Cup final pitch at Derby which experienced similar issues last weekend.
"Watching the Champions League quarter-final this Real Madrid pitch is worse than Derby’s pitch the other day," he said. "This is a f****** disgrace the pitches these girls have to play on."
Renée Slegers, the Arsenal manager said: "That's obviously a club decision [not to play at the Bernabeu] and I'm sure that UEFA is trying to create the best conditions for the tournament.
“Of course, weather is not always within control. 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."
Arsenal can take vengeance on their opponents next week when they face Los Blancos again back at the Emirates Stadium. The game takes place during the men's international break and tickets can still be bought as Slegers looks to rally her side for a humungous effort on Wednesday.
Arsenal will be looking to reach the semi-finals after previous disappointments in the competition. The Champions League remains the only real chance of silverware that remains for the club this season.
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