Mourinho slams Rostov pitch for Europa League tie
ROSTOV-ON-DON (Russia): Coach Jose Mourinho slammed the state of the Rostov pitch on Wednesday ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League tie in Russia, questioning whether the game should go ahead.
“It’s still hard for me to believe that we are going to play,” Mourinho said at a press conference in Rostov ahead of Thursday’s last 16, first leg.
“I know that we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field -- if you can call it a field.”
He said he spoke of the risks of playing on the surface to a UEFA official and was rebuffed.
UEFA later confirmed in a statement that there was no question of the match being called off, with a pitch inspection having been carried out by match officials on Wednesday.
“The playing surface may not be in perfect condition, but has been deemed playable,” UEFA said. “The match will go ahead as scheduled.”
Mourinho added: “When I told him (the UEFA official) about my concerns the gentleman just told me the players are insured -- if something happens no problem.”
The Portuguese boss compared the pitted and damaged Olimp-2 stadium pitch in Rostov to the surface at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium where Manchester United and City refused to play a pre-season friendly last year.
“I have now a lot to think (about) because I was expecting something more playable.
“On a very similar pitch in the summer in China, me and Manchester City decided not to play, but it looks like we have to play.”
Rostov coach Ivan Daniliants admitted the Rostov surface was a far cry from Premier League standards.
“On TV we see the quality of the pitches at places like Wembley and Manchester...”
“We would love to play on pitches like our opponents play on, but we have to make do with what we have got.”
He said he didn’t expect the bumpy surface to throw up serious problems and said his side had played on worse. He said pitch quality was inferior for their last home Europa League tie against Sparta Prague on February 16 which they won 4-0. - AFP