Palmeiras taunts Flamengo over Maracanã pitch, says "O tempo é o senhor da razão" | OneFootball

Palmeiras used social media to needle Flamengo over the Maracanã pitch, posting on X: "O tempo é o senhor da razão".

Globo.com reports that the surface drew criticism from Flamengo players after a draw with Independiente Del Valle on Thursday in the Conmebol Libertadores quarter-finals.

Goalkeeper Rossi and midfielder Arrascaeta complained about the worsening pitch, saying it was increasingly hard to control the ball and that they needed to move it quickly. Arrascaeta added that if they want to be champions, a solution must be found, and that a team of their quality should not have to play on such a surface. Coach Leonardo Jardim had raised similar concerns weeks earlier.

In a video, Palmeiras also highlighted an interview with defender Léo Ortiz, who described the pitch as very poor, questioned how it would hold up for the rest of the year, and said this is why some back synthetic turf.

Maracanã CEO Fred Nantes held a press conference last week to explain the wear on the playing surface and outline plans to improve it in the coming months, following criticism from Flamengo and Fluminense players and staff. He cited an unusual volume of rain, higher than seasonal temperatures, and a heavy fixture list, much of it in wet conditions.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”