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Ian Wright slammed the pitch as ‘a f***ing disgrace’ after Arsenal fell behind by two goals in their Champions League first leg quarter-final match in Madrid.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has voiced his frustration over the poor pitch conditions during the Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid. The match, held at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in Madrid, ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Gunners, leaving them with a challenging task in the return leg.
The pitch, heavily affected by days of rain, was described as muddy and soggy, significantly impacting the quality of play. Arsenal struggled to adapt to the slow surface, which hindered their usual passing game. Leah Williamson’s slip on the wet pitch led to Real Madrid’s opening goal by Linda Caicedo, while Athenea del Castillo sealed the victory with a late strike.
Ian Wright, a former Arsenal striker and vocal supporter of women’s football, took to social media to express his dismay. He called the pitch conditions a “disgrace” and criticized the disparity in treatment between men’s and women’s football. Wright’s comments highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women’s football in achieving parity in facilities and resources.
The match also saw Real Madrid’s Melanie Leupolz suffer a knee injury, further emphasizing the risks posed by substandard playing conditions. Arsenal manager Renée Slegers refrained from directly criticizing the decision to use the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium but acknowledged the need for better pitch standards in women’s football.
Arsenal will hope for better conditions and the opportunity to overcome the deficit as they prepare for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the importance of providing equal support and infrastructure for women’s football at all levels.
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