Liverpool and Real Madrid are a little over 24-hours away from locking horns in the UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris, but there are potential concerns around the playing surface at the ground in the run-up to kick off tomorrow night, with Reds boss Jürgen Klopp weighing in with his opinion.
After hostilities in Ukraine exploded due to Russian aggression in an invasion of the country, UEFA relocated the final of the competition to Paris after St.Petersburg was set to be the original host, and the change of program placed undue stress on the logistical chain surrounding the condition of the pitch at the already overstretched schedule in Paris.
Revealed: Champions League final pitch was only laid on Wednesday | @SamWallaceTel #lfc #UCL #RealFootball https://t.co/Xr4GNSeBcH
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) May 27, 2022
According to the Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, “the stadium was already under a punishing schedule to catch up on hosting music concerts that had been canceled during the Covid pandemic, and Saturday night saw the second of two full-capacity concerts performed by the famous 1980s French new wave band, Indochine. Following closely after that are two Nations League games for France’s men’s national team against Denmark on June 3 and Croatia 10 days later.”
With potential concerns regarding the playing surface, Klopp touched on the situation during his pre-match press conference earlier today ahead of hostilities tomorrow night but did not seem overly concerned with the quality of the newly-laid pitch.
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 27: A general view of Liverpool players in action during an open training session at Stade de France on May 27, 2022 in Paris, France. Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“Usually when the pitch looks new, it’s good news. This is new since yesterday. Not the best news but we will do a normal session as planned. I saw the refs with their session. The ball drops normal.”
“Somebody thought it would be a good idea to bring a new pitch the day before the game. It’s an interesting idea but didn’t kill my mood. Both teams have the same circumstances so I’m fine with it.”
“Real Madrid will train after us. You will hear the same from Carlo. I have no idea how bad or good it is. You don’t care if you win. We will go on it and maybe it is fine. I hope no one makes a story I am moaning. I am not.”
The state of the surface will undoubtedly be called into question when it comes to the likes of Thiago, who is set for his return from injury, but should Klopp call upon the Spanish international, those concerns should be put to bed.
