Neo Química Arena gets pitch work after Corinthians criticism | OneFootball

The Neo Química Arena pitch underwent a series of interventions in recent days following criticism from Corinthians players, coaching staff, and officials regarding the field’s condition. According to information published by UOL, the measures were adopted on an emergency basis to ease the problems identified in the first matches played after the grass was replaced.

According to the report, one of the main actions was the application of an organic material to make the surface softer and reduce the friction caused by the sand that remained exposed in some parts of the pitch. In addition, adjustments were also made to improve the firmness of the soil and provide better conditions for play.

Photo: José Manoel Idalgo / Agência Corinthians

The expectation is that the improvements will already be noticeable in this Thursday’s match (6), when Corinthians host Internacional at Neo Química Arena in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. Even so, the internal assessment is that the pitch has still not reached its ideal stage of recovery.

Still according to UOL, people involved in the process explain that the grass’s development depends on the time needed for it to integrate with the hybrid system. Since it is a living organism, the pitch needs a longer period to grow and gain density, a timeframe that ended up being shortened by the resumption of matches before the process had been fully completed.

The interventions began after the goalless draw between Corinthians and Athletico-PR, played on July 30. During that match, players reported discomfort with the surface, mainly due to the roughness caused by the exposed sand, which led to scrapes in several falls.

The complaints also came from the coaching staff. After the match, Fernando Diniz said the pitch was the worst at Neo Química Arena since the stadium’s inauguration and revealed that some players left the field hurt by the constant friction with the surface. The coach also linked the injury suffered by Zakaria Labyad to the conditions of the pitch.

The day after the criticism, representatives from Corinthians, Neo Química Arena management, and the company responsible for maintaining the pitch held a meeting to define a task force focused on recovering the field. On that occasion, football executive Marcelo Paz confirmed that the club would carry out intensive work for six days and acknowledged that the expected progress after the grass replacement had still not been achieved.

The pitch renovation was carried out during the break in the schedule and included the removal of the previous grass layer, followed by new sowing of Ryegrass, a variety used during the winter period, over a base made up of sand and synthetic fibers.

This type of pitch, however, requires approximately eight weeks to reach ideal playing conditions. Neo Química Arena hosted matches again around 40 days after sowing began, which meant the grass cover was still in the process of forming, leaving some of the sand visible in the areas of greatest wear.

UOL also reported that the renovation schedule underwent changes due to the friendly between the Brazil and United States women’s national teams, played at the stadium on June 6. Initially, the pitch replacement was to begin right after the match between Corinthians and Platense on May 27, but the event delayed the start of the work.

The initial forecast was that the pitch would be close to ideal conditions in the first matches after the renovation. Internally, however, the assessment was that the surface performed below expectations in the games against Remo and Athletico-PR, a scenario that prompted the emergency interventions.

Even with the adjustments made this week, maintenance work will continue after the match against Internacional. The goal is for the pitch to gradually reach the density, firmness, and quality considered ideal for the rest of the season.

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