Beth Mead says the Real Madrid state field for the Champions League quarter -final victory over Arsenal was “not so good” for women’s football – and shows how far the game should go.
Real Madrid beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first match of Tuesday in the Champions League, but the consequences of the match are focused on poor game conditions.
Gunners Renee Slegers boss said Fusha played a role in loss, while true midfielder Melanie Leupolz left the wounded with what seemed like a serious knee injury after slipping the ball.
The state of Alfredo di Stefano Stadium Pitch attracted criticism from Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who called it a shame, while the player football association (PFA) said it endangered the safety of the players.
The state of the field led to widespread critics
“It’s been a long time since I had to play in a field that feels like that in my career,” Mead told Sky Sports News on Thursday from the Arsenal club store.
“It is disappointing for a quarter -finals of a championship champion. It is a field that both of us and Real Madrid had to play inside and is not just the situation of the field, is for the safety of the players. And it was not ideal. Melanie Leupolz went down the ball because she slipped into the field.”
Only a few days ago there were criticism for Derby County’s pride park, who received the latest Chelsea Continental Cup victory for Manchester City last weekend.
Melanie Leupolz from Real Madrid lies damaged
“The same thing about the Conti Cup final – it’s not good enough for what we want to show in the women’s game,” Mead added. “Hopefully it’s something that is corrected soon.
“Women’s game is in such a good place, but after all we still have a long way to go. These are the obstacles we have to face.
“When you look at a quarter -final of a champions league in men’s game, you won’t see those conditions. So why would you see them in women’s game when they are doing exactly the same?”
Arsenal will welcome Real next week for the second match in the Emirates Stadium, the same place where the men’s team plays all their matches at home.
“They faced tar requirements better than we did at the time,” Mead said. “This is definitely a disappointment on our part, but we have the second match, so we have to put a show here in Emirates.
“We’re sure as a team, we know we’re good enough. Now we have to be ruthless before the goal, it’s what we have to do on foot now we are two goals after. We have to score goals to return to the game.”
How did football react to Real Madrid pitch
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright and David Ornstein of Athletics clashed the real state of Real Madrid during the quarter -final match of the Women’s Champions League against Arsenal.
Taking on Instagram live in the first half of Tuesday’s quarter -finals in the Champions League, former Arsenal men’s striker Ian Wright said: “This is worse than the Derby field another day.
“This is a shame ******* the points these girls have to play.”
And on Wednesday evening, the professional association of footballers (PFA) joined the criticism of the Terms of the Pitch.
A spokesman told Sky Sports News: “Points like this not only affect the quality of the game, they endanger the safety of the players.
“In many cases over the past few days, in significant links, our members have been asked to play in under standards conditions. World -class players deserve world class standards, and they are entitled to better.”
Real Madrid did not use their main stadium Santiago Bernabeu for the game against Arsenal
Asked about the call not to use the stadium, Arsenal Slegers chief said: “It’s not for me to criticize. This is definitely a club decision and I’m sure UEFA is trying to create the best conditions for the tournament.
“Of course the weather is not under control, but I think we’ve seen some games recently where the pitch conditions have not been excellent and I think this is the next step that women’s football.
“We talked about this with the players before the match. We knew the state of the field. So we had a plan for it, but then it’s always difficult because during a season and over time you work for things, and you have an identity, the way you want to do things.
“So then the reality comes and these conditions come and all of a sudden you have to do things differently, so it’s hard. But the players tried, so everyone trusts them to try and their degree of work.
“But again, I think we’re all sure we can do something against them in the Emirates at home because it’s just half the time.”
Sky Sports News Reporter Anton Toloui posted on X after playing to criticize the decision to leave the game in Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium to move forward.
“This pitch is barely enough for Sunday League never forget a quarter -finals of the Champions League,” he wrote.
“Thinking it’s okay, sends the following message: We don’t care about the safety of the player, we don’t care about the quality of the game … Indeed, we just don’t care.”
