Jose Mourinho-led "Manchester United" team started the new UEFA Champions League campaign with an easy victory, but the Portuguese did not spare criticism of UEFA for allowing to play on artificial turf, according to alfa.lt.
The team, which won 3-0 against Bern's "Young Boys," strategist assured that before the match he feared players' chances of getting injured, and despite the excellent performance of his players, he also faced negative comments after the match.
"After the match, I can say that I do not understand how the best club tournament matches can be played on artificial turf," - said the Portuguese at the press conference, refusing to answer questions about the stadium lawn before the match.
"Playing on such turf, you are afraid of getting injured. After yesterday's training, which was very light, some of my players complained of shin or back pain. Playing on such turf is not easy - especially for those who are not used to it. Playing, you feel fear and protect yourself, not delivering as much in matches," - said J. Mourinho.
The strategist compared the lawn in Switzerland with the ones found in England's stadiums, where there are rarely any complaints about unsuitable playing conditions.
"In England, people are used to excellent football pitches, which are watered and maintained. Football in such cases is much more beautiful," - said the "Man United" manager.
Prior to yesterday's game, J. Mourinho only spoke about how his footballers should take an example from the famous Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, as the athlete who won 20 "Grand Slam" tournaments trophies throughout his career did it on all possible surfaces - grass, clay, and synthetic.
Lithuanian football also faces artificial turf with crooked looks, as both Vilnius' "Žalgiris" and "Trakai" clubs, as well as the Lithuanian national team, play international matches on the LFF stadium's criticized "carpet" surfaces.
However, at least the Swiss cannot complain about the modernity of the stadium - if a little over 5,000 fans fit into a tiny stadium in Vilnius, then in the arena built in the Swiss capital, up to 32,000 spectators can gather. Ten years ago, three European Championship matches were played there when the championships were held in Switzerland and Austria.
alfa.lt
