Rayo Vallecano Star Labels Pitch a “Swamp” Ahead of Barcelona Showdown, Raising Injury Concerns

Rayo Vallecano forward Isi Palazón has expressed strong disapproval regarding the current state of the Vallecas Stadium pitch, casting a shadow over their highly anticipated La Liga match against Barcelona. Viral videos have circulated online depicting a patchy and run-down playing surface, prompting widespread discussion about its suitability for professional football.

In an interview with COPE, Palazón didn't mince words, admitting the pitch is “a bit average” and has worsened due to recent training sessions being held there, a deviation from the club’s usual practice facilities. “When you only use the stadium for games and suddenly you’re using it seven days a week, it ends up getting a bit run down,” he explained.

Palazón’s description painted a vivid picture of the challenges players will face. “It’s a bit bad, it’s a bit slow… it wasn’t grass, it was like the grass in my garden. It feels like a swamp, the grass is soft and the ball doesn’t roll well,” he lamented.

The Rayo Vallecano attacker emphasized the team’s desire to deliver a quality performance for their supporters, a goal now threatened by the pitch conditions. “We feel bad because football is a spectacle and we want it to be a spectacle for the fans. We want to see good football and I think we have the team to do that. In this case, it won’t be entirely good to watch, but that’s not our fault.”

Concerns aren't limited to the home side. Palazón acknowledged reports of Barcelona’s apprehension, adding, “I’ve seen some comments from Barça saying they were worried and so on. We’re worried too, we don’t want to get injured either.” The substandard playing surface raises significant worries about potential injuries for players from both formidable teams, turning a crucial fixture into a potentially hazardous encounter.