Man City change Champions League preparations due to Young Boys' plastic pitch

Manchester City have changed their preparation for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Young Boys because of the Wankdorf Stadium’s plastic pitch.

Pep Guardiola’s side usually train at the City Football Academy before flying to away matches, rather than taking advantage of the home team’s facilities the night before a game.

But the artificial surface out in Switzerland has seen Guardiola decide that his players require a session on it when they arrive on Tuesday evening.

Young Boys beat Manchester United in the group stage two years ago, with the pitch heavily criticised by Luke Shaw, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed an Aaron Wan-Bissaka red card on the turf.

‘No excuses, we lost the game,’ Shaw said. ‘But for the Champions League, these pitches, they shouldn’t be possible. It’s dangerous. It’s hard to turn on.’

Jose Mourinho also took aim at the pitch after beating the Swiss side while United manager back in 2018. Mourinho had declined to comment on it before the victory but later said: ‘I don’t understand how you can play the best club competition on an artificial pitch.

‘Some probably fear injuries. I had some players after training yesterday – light training – and they were feeling ankles, back pains, sore.

‘It’s not easy, especially not for people who are not adapted to it. Also a little bit of a fear in the duels.’

City’s altered plans should mean an earlier flight out of Manchester. Inclement weather meant they were delayed reaching Leipzig earlier this month.