Arsenal boss Renee Slegers admitted the conditions played their part after the PFA and Ian Wright criticised the state of the pitch 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 Madrid left the pitch at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in a soggy state and it appeared to have an impact on the game as Leah Williamson slipped in the lead up to the opening goal of Real's 2-0 win.
Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz also suffered a knee issue after seemingly kicking the surface before limping off in tears with what looked like a serious injury.
Melanie Leupolz of Real Madrid gets injured during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Final first leg
Image: Melanie Leupolz of Real Madrid was injured against Arsenal and limped off in tears
It comes just days after Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor questioned the quality of Derby's Pride Park pitch for their League Cup final win over Manchester City, asking if it would have been accepted in the men's game.
Taking to Instagram Live in the first half of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final, former Arsenal men's striker Ian Wright said: "This is worse than Derby's pitch the other day.
"This is a ******* disgrace the pitches these girls have to play on."
Steph Catley of Arsenal FC and Signe Bruun of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Final first leg
Image: The conditions impacted the quality of the game
And on Wednesday evening, the Professional Footballers Association [PFA] joined the criticism of the pitch conditions**.**
A spokesperson told Sky Sports News: "Pitches like this don't just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk.
"On multiple occasions over the past few days, in important ties, our members have been asked to play in sub-standard conditions. World-class players deserve world-class standards, and they are right to expect better."
Real Madrid did not to use the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the game against Arsenal, who will be hosting next Wednesday's second leg at the Emirates.
The men's team have not played at the newly-developed stadium, which has a retractable roof, since March 9 and do not return to action at their home venue until March 29.
Perez's one condition for Real Madrid women to use the Bernabeu
Ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Arsenal, midfielder Melanie Leupolz revealed the one condition that would allow them to play at the Bernabeu.
The players asked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez when the women's team can play home games at the Bernabeu, and he had one condition.
Perez replied: "When you win your first title."
Asked about the call not to use the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said: "It's not on me to criticise. That's obviously a club decision and 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."
Arsenal were clearly hampered by the conditions and managed just one shot on target in Tuesday's game, but Slegers is not giving up hope of turning the tie around in the second leg.
Real Madrid's Signe Bruun, centre, runs towards her team mate Caicedo who scored the opening goal during the Women's Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Berg)
Image: Linda Caicedo struck the opener for Real Madrid against Arsenal
"We spoke about it with the players before the game," Slegers said of the pitch.
"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."
Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui posted on X after the game to criticise the decision to let the game at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium go ahead.
"This pitch is barely enough for Sunday league never mind a Champions League quarter-final," he wrote.
"Thinking it's OK sends the following message: we don't care about player safety, we don't care about the quality of the game... actually, we just don't care."