MX23RW : Friday, April 19 12:01:24| >> :120:5091:5091:

Mauricio Pochettino confident Wembley pitch has improved for PSV clash

Mauricio Pochettino confident Wembley pitch has improved for PSV clash
© Reuters
The playing surface at the national stadium was in shocking condition for Spurs’ Premier League defeat to Manchester City last Monday.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino expects the condition of the Wembley pitch to have improved ahead of his side’s Champions League game with PSV Eindhoven.

The playing surface at the national stadium was in shocking condition for last Monday’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City, which was played 24 hours after an NFL game.

Large sections of the pitch were brown, the surface was uneven and the NFL logos and distance markings were still visible.

UEFA were due to inspect its condition ahead of PSV’s scheduled training session on Monday night, with the chance it could be moved if officials feel the warm-up may worsen the surface for the match.

Pochettino has seen pictures of the pitch, though, and says it is on the mend.

“I think it’ll improve a little bit – they’re working so hard to improve it,” he said.

Raheem Sterling, left, tumbles on the Wembley pitch during last Monday's victory over Spurs
Raheem Sterling, left, tumbles on the Wembley pitch during last Monday’s victory over Spurs (John Walton/PA)

“I saw pictures, I think it’s better. The condition will be the same for both sides. Nothing to complain about.”

Spurs defender Ben Davies would not be drawn on whether his side would have the advantage of playing on such a poor surface.

“We’ve played on it before and we know what it’s like but it’s the same pitch for both sides,” he said. “We’ve both got to play on it.”

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Jonathan Veal, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '2c5b7ba0-37a4-45c5-9dab-7ee8885aa5b8');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Mauricio Pochettino confident Wembley pitch has improved for PSV clash'});

ID:340681: cacheID:340681:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5610:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!