The state of Rapid Vienna’s pitch is a talking point in the fallout from tonight’s Europa League match.
This was a huge occasion for both teams. Yet, a terrible playing surface at the Allianz Stadion, tarnished the spectacle.
One Gers fans picked up on the issue, in the opening stages of the match.
While a dodgy playing surface is never ideal for teams at this level, it must be said that it suited Rapid’s purposes tonight.
Only needing a draw to progress, it was Rangers who needed to force the issue, not them.
Through a combination of a lack of composure and the conditions underfoot, the visitors found it difficult to string attacks together. Each pass took multiple bobbles on the way to its intended target.
For that reason, among others, momentum was difficult to come by.
Consequently, more fans took to twitter to vent their frustration.
https://twitter.com/JackMHaugh/status/1073281800611487744
https://twitter.com/MarkBFoot/status/1073277691539976192
Certainly, it’s difficult to accept that a match of this magnitude played out on a pitch more befitting of a Sunday League fixture.
Make no mistake, Rangers didn’t do enough on the night. The pitch cannot be solely to blame for the visitors registering just one shot on target.
However, the fact remains, that the surface detracted from a massive occasion. This game would have been painful to watch for a neutral, and the substandard facilities played a big part in that.
