Maracanã CEO explains how heavy rain damages Flamengo's pitch | OneFootball

Fred Nantes details the challenges of pitch maintenance and guarantees a full grass replacement by the end of the year

Flamengo beat Corinthians in the 27th round of the Brasileirão under heavy rain and on a low-quality pitch. With that, Fred Nantes, CEO of the Maracanã, explained that trying to treat the waterlogged surface only makes it worse. However, the executive assured that the stadium will have new grass by the end of the year.

What did Fred Nantes say about the rain on the pitch?

– The amount of rain in the last 24 hours is impressive, it just doesn’t stop raining. With weather like this, our hands are tied when it comes to working on the pitch. We can’t take heavy machinery onto the field because the surface gets soft and everything ends up marked up –, said Nantes, who added.

– There were times when we went practically four days without being able to use heavy machinery on the field. That’s something that needs to be taken into account. It’s not for lack of willingness, equipment, or staff—we have all of that. The issue is that bringing heavy machinery onto the field when it’s as soaked as it is would cause worse damage than doing nothing –, he said.

When will the Maracanã grass be replaced?

– In December, we’re going to fully replace the pitch. We’ll change the Maracanã’s grass species to Celebration Hybrid, which is a more modern option than the current one, besides being more resistant and easier to manage during renovations and treatments. It’s the most advanced thing available in football pitches today –, the CEO told Flamengo TV.

The replacement is expected to take place right after the Brasileirão ends at the stadium. After all, the process includes removing the entire old surface and preparing the soil for the new planting.

Therefore, the expectation is that the stadium will host the following season with the new pitch already in ideal condition. The 2026 Brasileirão is scheduled to end on December 2, with the 38th round. On that occasion, Fla is expected to face Chapecoense at the Maracanã.

Why has the Maracanã pitch become a target of criticism?

The quality of the field has already prompted complaints from players within the squad itself. Among the standout names are Samuel Lino and Léo Pereira. As a result, the scrutiny surrounding the pitch has gone beyond behind-the-scenes discussion and gained public attention in recent months.

The condition of the field also led to the dismissal of Severiano Braga from the Maracanã’s Operations and Infrastructure department on August 20. The moment coincided with an administrative crisis centered on the poor quality of the pitch. As a result, the decision was made by the Fla-Flu Consortium, which appointed Fred Nantes to the position.

When and where to watch Flamengo vs. Del Valle?

While the debate over the pitch remains unresolved, Flamengo is preparing for another decisive clash at the Maracanã. The opponent is Independiente del Valle (ECU), in the second leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

So, the ball starts rolling at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time this Thursday (17). However, those who cannot go to the stadium can watch it on ESPN, on pay TV, or on Disney+ via streaming.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.