Zubeldía slams pitch after Fluminense draw: “This doesn't protect players”

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·24 avril 2026

Zubeldía slams pitch after Fluminense draw: “This doesn't protect players”

Fluminense manager Luis Zubeldía showed strong dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitch at Germano Krüger Stadium after the 0-0 draw with Operário Ferroviário on Thursday night in Ponta Grossa, in the first leg of the fifth round of the Copa do Brasil.

After the match, the coach said he had already expected a difficult clash, but lamented the state of the field and highlighted concerns about the players’ health.

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— In these Copa do Brasil matches, in this context, we expected a game like this, very hard-fought, with a lot of difficulty in being able to string passes together. What I regret most is that... at 23, I had to stop playing football because of a knee injury. I played many professional matches in a short period of time, on different pitches. And possibly one of the causes of my early retirement was the result of lack of care, of playing many matches in a short period of time, on different pitches and with a physical structure I was not prepared for — said the coach.

Zubeldía said that, in a competition of the stature of the Copa do Brasil, the organizers need to guarantee better playing conditions.

— So the point I leave today is that, in a match with the significance of the Copa do Brasil, with the organization the Copa do Brasil has, which is very good, which I say is like an internal Copa Libertadores, where all teams have the possibility of fielding their best over 180 minutes... The conclusion I come to is that, with pitches like today’s, we are not taking care of the player, we are not — he added.

The coach also mentioned the injury to Matheus Martinelli, who left the field eight minutes into the game and was replaced by Otávio. The midfielder will be re-evaluated by Fluminense’s medical department upon the team’s return to Rio de Janeiro.

— It was very difficult to play the football we usually play, but that is not an inconvenience because each team has its strength on its own ground. The only thing I ask is that the pitches be in good condition for the player’s health. Then we can talk about the spectacle. So I believe that, in this respect, the organizers cannot present a pitch like this. Five minutes in, we had an injury to a super important player like Martinelli, who never gets injured. So I call for reflection on this point — he said. Photo: Marcelo Gonçalves / FFC

Finally, the coach said he believes there was enough time for the match to be moved to another stadium.

— There was time to organize it on another field. I believe that would be fair for both sides, for the spectacle and, above all, for the player’s health. Otherwise, it is very difficult to analyze. It was not possible to string passes together, it was not possible to create chances in the final third. It is very difficult to play on a pitch like this. I repeat that there was time to assess whether the pitch was suitable for an important match or not. If it is not, it has to be taken elsewhere. We have to prioritize the player’s health a little; we are playing every three days at this stage, and we will keep playing. This schedule is crazy; the least we need is a good pitch. Otherwise, players will keep getting injured. Like this, it is very difficult — Zubeldía concluded.

With the away draw, Fluminense will decide qualification for the next round of the Copa do Brasil in the second leg at the Maracanã. Whoever wins goes through. In the event of another draw, the spot will be decided on penalties.

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