Soccer

Manchester City boss Guardiola criticises Young Boys’ artificial pitch ahead of Champions League game

European champions flew out early to train on pitch and familiarise themselves with conditions

Manchester City take part in a training session on the eve of the Champions League Group G football match against Young Boys at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images
Manchester City take part in a training session on the eve of the Champions League Group G football match against Young Boys at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images
Jamie Jackson
Tue Oct 24 2023 - 19:38
Champions League Group G: Young Boys v Manchester City, Wednesday, 8.0 – Live TNT Sports 1

Pep Guardiola has criticised the Wankdorf Stadion’s artificial surface, on which Manchester City will play against Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday, by stating it is “common sense” why grass is better for football.

City usually train at home the day before European away matches, but because of the synthetic nature of the pitch in Berne they arrived here on Tuesday in order to get used to the surface at what is Switzerland’s second largest stadium.

“The grass is better, [than an artificial surface],” Guardiola said. “Because 99.9 per cent of the teams who play in high level play on grass, otherwise Uefa and Fifa would decide to play on artificial pitch. It’s common sense I would say. It is what it is. If Uefa allows games to be played here it’s because it’s in good conditions. That’s one of the reasons we never train away [to ensure we have our own surface] but this is an exception.

“This is why we travel in the morning to allow the players to feel the surface – how the ball runs, how to move left, right, backwards, forwards. We will try it and the players will know immediately.”

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Guardiola was asked if there is markedly more chance of injury on a synthetic pitch. “I don’t know,” he said. “Hopefully not for both sides, but I don’t know. We are not used to it. Any team that plays here is not used to it. It suits the Swiss league and in the Champions League the teams that come here have to adapt. We will not be the first in this situation. But we have to use it as a benefit.”

City are looking to maintain a perfect defence of their Champions League crown against Switzerland’s champions. Jack Grealish was a key player in last season’s triumph in the competition and Guardiola welcomed the battle the winger faces as he strives to return to his best following the dead leg that ruled him out for a month.

“Everybody knows he [Grealish] is in competition so he has to fight with his mates [for a place] to fight against the opponent,” Guardiola said. “It is strange: you are competitors and enemies during the week and then you have to be brothers [on matchday]. Jack competes with Phil [Foden] and Jérémy [Doku]. I’m calm and confident that he will be again an incredibly important player for us.” – Guardian