Atletico pitch trimmed
UEFA intervened before Barcelona’s Champions League visit to force Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano pitch to be cut to a maximum of 26mm after complaints the grass had been left longer to affect play. The intervention was publicized on social media and Barca supporters noted that Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were fit for the match, adding to pregame optimism. The pitch‑length order circulated alongside fan reaction threads as the clubs prepared for the fixture. (x.com) (x.com)
UEFA told Atletico Madrid to cut the grass at the Metropolitano to 26 millimeters before Barcelona’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg on Tuesday. (documents.uefa.com) (mundodeportivo.com) The order followed Barcelona’s complaint to UEFA after training at the stadium ahead of the April 14 match in Madrid. UEFA’s regulations say natural grass in the Champions League must not exceed 30 millimeters and can be ordered shorter by the referee or UEFA match delegate. (sports.yahoo.com) (documents.uefa.com) Mundo Deportivo reported that UEFA delegate Christian Kofoed discussed the issue with both clubs at the standard pre-match meeting and committed to a 26-millimeter surface. The same UEFA rule also says the grass height should be the same for training sessions and the match. (mundodeportivo.com) (documents.uefa.com) Grass length is not cosmetic in a match like this. A longer surface can slow the ball and blunt quick passing, which is why Barcelona raised the issue before trying to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Diego Simeone’s team. (nytimes.com) (sports.yahoo.com) The tie already carried extra tension after Barcelona filed a separate complaint with UEFA over refereeing decisions in the first leg. ESPN reported that complaint centered on a denied penalty and a possible red card in Atletico’s 2-0 win. (espn.com) (apnews.com) Atletico and Barcelona were meeting for the fifth time in less than two months on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. Barcelona needed a comeback to reach the semifinals, while Atletico were defending a two-goal lead at home. (apnews.com) (uefa.com) Barcelona also arrived with better injury news than they had a week earlier. Reports ahead of the match said Frenkie de Jong had returned to the squad after a hamstring injury and Pedri was fit and available. (barcauniversal.com) (sports.yahoo.com) Atletico’s view was that the pitch met the rules. News18, citing Diario AS, reported that no formal complaint had been lodged over the field itself and that the surface was considered in good condition, even as UEFA’s own rules left room for a pre-match order to shorten the grass. (news18.com) (documents.uefa.com) By kickoff, the argument had narrowed from whether Atletico could shape the conditions to how much. UEFA’s answer was precise: no more than 26 millimeters for one of the season’s biggest matches. (mundodeportivo.com)
