In Frankfurt, Germany drew 1-1 with Switzerland. After the match, German superstar Joshua Kimmich pointed out that he wasn’t looking for excuses, but the pitch conditions were exceptionally poor, affecting the team significantly.
Some context: In March, Germany played a friendly against the Netherlands at this stadium (2-1) and criticized the pitch conditions at this UEFA Euro venue then. The organizers initially considered introducing a hybrid turf system (using synthetic fibers to reinforce natural grass), but the plan didn’t materialize due to budget constraints. The stadium operators, in an effort to save money, ended up with a subpar solution, creating significant risks for the playing surface. Before this match, Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann had expressed hope that the pitch would be suitable but didn’t have high expectations, also worrying about the potential increase in player injuries.
After the game, Kimmich, who was initially cheerful with his son (Leni) by his side, became visibly displeased when discussing the pitch: “It was difficult to play on such a field. We couldn’t create depth, and we missed opportunities to put the opposition under pressure. This isn’t an excuse, but the pitch was very dry.”
The German full-back added, “Controlling the ball wasn’t easy with the pitch so dry. Was it too slippery back in March? Maybe they realized that issue and didn’t water it enough this time, but playing on such a dry surface slows down the ball. I know it might sound strange to some, but when it’s this dry, the ball tends to stick to the ground.”
The reason behind the ball sticking due to dryness might require a physics explanation, but the German team’s coaching staff and players share this concern, indicating their frustration. German media highlighted that there’s no denying that the Frankfurt stadium needs improvements, hoping for a prompt resolution. The venue is set to host more matches, including group stage games between Slovakia and Romania and crucial knockout fixtures on June 30th and July 2nd.