• Arsenal manager Renee Slegers advocates for higher-quality pitches for women's football following a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid.
• Heavy rain deteriorated the playing conditions, raising concerns about player safety and venue choices.
• Former player Ian Wright criticized the pitch, describing it as a "disgrace," while the PFA voiced concerns over safety.

Following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final, manager Renee Slegers stated that better pitches should be the "next step for women's football." The match played at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano was marred by terrible weather, raising significant questions regarding the quality of the venue, especially with the iconic Santiago Bernabeu available during this international break.

Adverse weather compromised the playing surface, resulting in large patches of mud that affected gameplay. Slegers acknowledged that while pitch conditions were discussed prior to the game, weather factors were beyond anyone's control. "Of course, the weather is not always in our control," she commented. Despite her reluctance to criticize, she emphasized the need for improved conditions in future matches.

Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright took to social media to express his outrage, labeling the pitch as a "disgrace," and even claimed it was worse than the conditions faced during the women's League Cup final held at Pride Park, which also came under criticism for its substandard state.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) also weighed in, stating that "pitches like this don’t just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk." They highlighted repeated instances where players were subjected to below-standard playing conditions in critical competitive settings. Slegers echoed similar sentiments, noting how "the reality" of poor pitch conditions often disrupts teams' playing strategies, prompting them to adjust their game plans more than anticipated.

As the sports community continues to evaluate and advocate for better infrastructure in women's football, the emphasis on top-quality pitches emerges as a vital conversation within the ongoing development of the women's game.