Calls for better playing conditions in women’s football have intensified after a Champions League quarter-final match between Arsenal and Real Madrid was played on a heavily waterlogged pitch. The first-leg encounter saw Real Madrid secure a 2-0 victory, but discussions post-match focused more on the state of the playing surface than the result.
Heavy rain in Madrid, combined with a stadium unsuitable for such a high-profile fixture, created difficult playing conditions. The match was staged at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano rather than the main Santiago Bernabéu, which remained unused during the men’s international break.
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers highlighted the issue, calling pitch improvements “the next step for women’s football.” While acknowledging that weather is beyond control, she pointed out that recent games have suffered from subpar playing surfaces. “We knew the condition of the pitch, so we had a plan for it. It’s always hard because you work on things over a season and you have an identity. Then reality comes and these conditions come, and all of a sudden, we need to do things differently. That’s hard,” she said. Despite the loss, she remained optimistic about the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, stating, “It’s only half-time.”
The conditions were widely criticized across the football community. Former players voiced their frustration, arguing that such surfaces undermine the quality of the competition. One well-known figure likened the pitch to a recent problematic surface used in a domestic cup final, labeling it a “disgrace.”
This marks the second major incident in a week where poor pitch conditions have overshadowed a women’s football event. Similar concerns were raised after the Women’s League Cup final, played at Pride Park Stadium, where players from both teams expressed dissatisfaction with the surface.
With increased visibility and investment in the women’s game, the issue of playing conditions is gaining more attention. As the sport continues to grow, players and managers are calling for improvements to ensure top-level matches are played on pitches that allow for high-quality football. The situation in Madrid serves as another example of the need for better infrastructure to support the development of the women’s game.
