Corinthians director says error acknowledged, taskforce set to improve Neo Química Arena pitch | OneFootball

Corinthians executive Marcelo Paz has addressed the poor condition of the new Neo Química Arena pitch after player complaints, criticism from coach Fernando Diniz and the injury to midfielder Zakaria Labyad. The club released a video with Paz responding to the concerns.

He said a Friday meeting with stadium management and the firm that has maintained the turf since the venue opened agreed measures to ready the surface for the second leg against Internacional on 6 in the Copa do Brasil last 16.

Paz noted they had expected an upturn when matches resumed, starting with the game against Remo, but it did not happen. He added that the grass is a living surface and the anticipated development failed to materialise, with issues most evident against Athletico-PR.

He said the club went to demand a solution and the company acknowledged an error and that things had not gone as planned.

Paz said there is a collective commitment from Arena management, the company and the football department to a six-day taskforce aimed at improving conditions by that game, then continuing progress until Neo Química’s pitch again ranks among the best in Brazil.

Source: Globo.com