Diniz slams Neo Química Arena pitch after Corinthians 0-0 Athletico-PR | OneFootball

Diniz condemned the Neo Química Arena pitch after Corinthians drew 0-0 with Athletico-PR, calling it the worst surface there since the stadium opened.

He said five players suffered grazed knees, warned of injury risk, urged urgent improvements and noted no improvement since last week, according to Globo.com.

Corinthians changed the turf during the World Cup break and are still decompacting the soil and removing excess sand. It was expected to be improved for next week’s home second leg against Internacional in the Copa do Brasil, but the recovery is not complete.

Diniz linked Zakaria Labyad’s left-knee sprain late in the first half to the pitch. Yuri Alberto also went off in the second period with a right-thigh muscle problem.

Arena operations manager Marcio de Luna said staff met president Osmar Stabile and football executive Marcelo Paz after the game to discuss feedback. He noted a winter grass was used for the first time since construction, with past summer swaps satisfactory, and said the maintenance firm has been tasked to improve the pitch by the next match.

Diniz said rotation targeted keeping players ready for Internacional, calling this a restart after Bahia. He felt Athletico’s organisation and the surface hindered rhythm, with Corinthians taking six shots, four on target. They visit Internacional in Porto Alegre on Sunday at 19:30 Brasília time in the Copa do Brasil round of 16 first leg.

Source: Globo.com