PSG Manager Criticizes Field Conditions at Club World Cup

Following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory against the Seattle Sounders on Monday, manager Luis Enrique voiced his concerns regarding the playing surface quality at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The match took place at Lumen Field, where the original artificial turf—shared by the Sounders and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL—was substituted with a temporary hybrid grass surface for the duration of the tournament.

However, Enrique was visibly unimpressed with the conditions.

Ball Movement Compared to a Rabbit

“The ball’s erratic bounce made it seem like it was hopping around like a rabbit,” Enrique remarked. “I can’t imagine an NBA court in such a poor state.”

Despite securing the win, Enrique highlighted that the playing conditions influenced the game’s style and overall quality.

“The field’s condition is my primary concern, and I’m saying this despite our victory.”

He noted that while the grass received watering during halftime, it quickly dried out due to the surface’s inherent properties.

“Lumen Field serves as an example. Previously artificial turf, it’s now natural grass. They manually watered it during halftime, yet the field was dry again within about 10 minutes,” he stated.

“This poses a challenge for our gameplay style. The surface differs greatly from European pitches. The grass lacks the equivalent smoothness, making it more difficult to execute our strategies—nonetheless, we adapted effectively and are pleased with the outcome.”

PSG is celebrating a successful season, having captured the UEFA Champions League title in May with a decisive victory over Inter Milan in Munich, completing a memorable European and domestic treble.