Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 9:43 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 9:45 p.m.
During the morning meeting with the representatives of the clubs, the officials of the European forum guaranteed that the grass will have a height of 26 millimeters and will be properly watered both before the match and at half-time of the dispute between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick can breathe a sigh of relief. After voicing his displeasure with the height of the pitch to UEFA delegate Christian Kofoed of Denmark at the pre-match session with Atletico, the European forum responded to his request.
Flick's wish was listened to by UEFA
During the morning meeting between the two clubs and UEFA, a standard protocol before every Champions League match, UEFA officials committed to the grass being 26mm high.
The regulation allows a maximum of 30 mm, but it was decided to respect this stricter limit. It has also been guaranteed that the playing surface will be watered abundantly, both before and during the match, according to mundodeportivo.com.
“I haven't seen it yet, but they told me they cut it today. We'll see.” said Hansi Flick, 30 minutes before the match.
Hansi Flick is unhappy with the grass on the Metropolitano
Flick's complaint was not an unfounded one, but aimed at ensuring compliance with the regulation.
UEFA pays particular attention to certain details when approving the pitches on which matches are played in European competitions. One of these commitments, less known, even concerns the color of the turf in the stadiums.
Starting teams in Atletico Madrid – Barcelona:
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Musso – Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri – Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman – Griezmann, Alvarez
Reserves: Oblak, Esquivel, Mendoza, Cardoso, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Vargas, Gonzalez, D. Martinez, Bonar, J. Diaz
Coach: Diego Simeone
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia – Kounde, E. Garcia, G. Martin, Cancelo – Pedri, Gavi – Yamal, F. Lopez, Olmo – F. Torres
Reserves: Szczesny, Kochen, Balde, Araujo, Lewandowski, Rashford, Casado, De Jong, Bardghji, Cortes, Xavi Espart, Marques
Coach: Hansi Flick
