The head groundsman of the Arena Amazonia, where Italy will take on England on Saturday, admits the pitch is in very bad shape.
Ahead of what is both teams’ opening match of the World Cup, Carlos Botella revealed that an emergency plan has been put into action in order to improve the playing surface as much as possible.
The head groundsman of the Arena Amazonia, where Italy will take on England on Saturday, admits the pitch is in very bad shape.
Ahead of what is both teams’ opening match of the World Cup, Carlos Botella revealed that an emergency plan has been put into action in order to improve the playing surface as much as possible.
However, he conceded that he doubts the pitch in Manaus will be in good shape come kick-off regardless.
“It really is bad, I’m serious,” Botella told reporters. “We have started to implement an emergency plan to try to salvage the field and improve it.
“But I don’t think it will be in good condition for the weekend. We will add fertiliser and increase the fertilising process with bio stimulants and seeds to try to get the most out of the grass as possible.”