Don't kick sand at us
again
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP
October 07, 2006
BARCELONAS stars have slammed Jose Mourinho for Chelseas sand pit
of a pitch.
SunSport revealed yesterday how the Blues have sparked a turf war
ahead of Barcas visit on October 18.
Chelsea claim they are innocently maintaining their playing surface
ahead of the Champions League clash.
But angry Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta reckons Mourinho is
up to his old tricks again.
Iniesta said: We know what Mourinho is like.
If the game turns out the same as last year then it wont bother
us if he puts sand on the pitch.
He can put whatever he wants on the pitch its all the same to
us.
But midfield playmaker Xavi fears the dodgy grass could spell
disaster for Barca.
The Spanish giants won 2-1 at sandy Stamford Bridge last year but
only after Chelsea had Asier Del Horno sent off.
Xavi said: This seems very bad for us because they play direct
football and Barcelona have a passing game. This will benefit them
but not us.
We won at Stamford Bridge last year on the sand but only just. It
wasnt easy and it helped they were a man down.
We prefer to have a good pitch and when they come to the Nou Camp
we will water the surface, so we can play a fast passing game on
the floor, the way we like.
Barcelona legend Andoni Zubizarreta insists Chelsea have a
responsibility to provide a perfect pitch for such a big game so
the teams do not end up playing beach football.
The former keeper added: I dont know what to say about this. I
dont know if its a question of problems with their pitch, if its
been done for maintenance.
But the biggest games, like this one will be in the Champions
League, should be played in the best possible conditions that you
can achieve with the pitch.
Its important to have a good pitch so both teams can play. But
you have to make sure you perform no matter what the conditions
are.
Anna Revilla, of Barcelonas hardcore London-based supporters group
Pena Blaugrana, blasted: I cant believe theyve put sand all
over the pitch again!
They did it last year and, even though it was raining before the
game, they watered the pitch. It was really bad last year.
Of course Mourinho is doing this to get at Barcelona. The
Barcelona players pass the ball on the floor and if the pitch isnt
smooth its not good for us. All the Barca fans will be angry about
this. Last year everyone was asking how the Chelsea pitch can be so
bad when they have Abramovich and all his millions?
Now they have put sand on the pitch again this year just when we
are coming to play them again thats really bad!
But a Chelsea spokesman last night insisted the sanding of the
pitch was merely routine.
He said: An 18-day break between home fixtures has allowed our
groundstaff to carry out routine maintenance work on the
pitch.
The drainage system is being improved to ensure the pitch stays in
top condition.
The international break allows us to carry out this work towards
our aim of maintaining our playing surface as one of the best in
the league.
Recent years have seen much investment going into it.
