Concerns Over Pitch Conditions Impacting Team Performance

“The field is a disgrace, man. We can’t play here.” These were the words of Pep Chavarría at the conclusion of the match against Osasuna. His comments were not merely an attempt to rationalize his team’s defeat but rather a lamentation regarding a longstanding issue that is hindering the team’s performance.

Throughout the match, continuous slips were evident among players from both teams. One notable incident involved Ilias Akhomach, who lost his footing before controlling a ball and displayed his frustration by kicking the ground.

Akhomach was not the only player from Rayo Vallecano to express dissatisfaction with the pitch. Álvaro García described the state of the playing surface as “lamentable” and stated, “The grass is not even suitable for regional games. It’s very disappointing that with the beautiful football we play, we have such poor quality grass. It does not match the level we are delivering. We, as players, are tired of saying it; we voice our concerns every week. We receive excuses and leave frustrated because we give our all for the club and the jersey but receive minimal support.”

Ilias Akhomach, who made his debut with Rayo on Saturday, also voiced his concerns but did so more cautiously. “It’s a reality. It’s not just me saying it; all the teams that have played here have noted it. The field is unsuitable for both us and them. I need to step up to improve the situation and secure the three points,” he remarked at the end of the match.

Meanwhile, Iñigo Pérez, who had previously raised concerns about the pitch, remained restrained but his frustration was evident. “After a victory, I understand I should express my views when everyone is more receptive. Today is not the day for complaints,” he noted.

However, the poor condition of the pitch is such an obvious problem that it did not escape the notice of even the visiting team. Alessio Lisci, the coach of Osasuna, remarked, “I cannot use strong language as I’m not from Rayo, but the pitch was very poor. We expected it to be bad, but not this bad, and we had to adjust our strategy before the match. It was challenging for both teams, and the first half was tough for us to play, resulting in very little football being displayed.”