Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has cast further doubt over the MCG surface ahead of tonight’s second International Champions Cup between City and AS Roma.
A crowd of 75,000 is expected to pack the ‘G’ with fans hoping for a better spectacle than Saturday night’s nil-all draw between Real Madrid and AS Roma.
City’s open training session was moved from the MCG to AAMI Park to preserve the playing surface, with Roma also having to move their scheduled session at the same venue to Lakeside Stadium.
Pellegrini and captain Joe Hart address the media. Source: supplied
The 61-year-old manager said he hoped for a “decent” MCG pitch but admitted to some worry going into the friendly.
“Yes I am concerned about the pitch, I think we know that it is not the best,” he told a packed media conference.
“They already played a game [AS Roma v Real Madrid] there and tomorrow we play so that is the reason why we changed facilities. I hope the pitch will be in normal condition tomorrow night.”
City train on AAMI Park after MCG session was cancelled.
His comments came after the pitch was heavily scrutinised by Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez, who slammed the surface after his side’s open training session last Friday.
“Today I have to say the pitch was not the best. It is an important game, important players, so it could be a little bit better,” Benitez said on Friday.
“Overall, the facilities [in Melbourne] have been fantastic. We have been really pleased.”
Saturday night’s opening ICC match was a dull affair with AS Roma defeating Real Madrid on penalties with many fingers pointed squarely at the patchy surface as the reason for the poor quality of football.
It appeared that a fresh strip of grass had been laid right through the middle of the ground from end to end, with players struggling to come to terms with it in both training and the match.
Manuel catches up with the new @realmadrid boss Rafa Benitez before training #cityontourpic.twitter.com/GuBQvZLXOI
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) July 20, 2015
This criticism from touring managers will come as a blow to Melbourne’s hopes to stage ICC games in future years, with Australia locked in with the tournament organisers for a four-year deal.
It is understood that Melbourne is no certainty to host matches next year, with other Australian capitals lurking should the organisers wish to relocate.
Saturday night’s opening ICC match between Real Madrid and AS Roma attracted more than 80,000 fans to the MCG, with Madrid’s second match against Manchester City on Friday night set to draw an even bigger crowd.
