Video of Qarabag’s Tofig Bahramov Republic Stadium
Visitors Rudar Pljevlja had nothing to complain about as they recorded a 0-0 draw to take back to Montenegro for the return tie a week later.
Somewhere between July 15 and the weekend something drastic has happened to the pitch at the Tofig Bahramov Republican stadium despite no games being played.
News of Celtic’s concern emerged on Sunday as they alerted UEFA to the condition of the pitch in Baku.
UEFA delegate Peter Lundström of Finland will be the centre of attention today as he arrives alongside the match officials from Sweden, it seems that Celtic have been told that they won’t be allowed to train on the pitch tonight as UEFA rules state.
Ronny Deila’s squad should reluctantly be able to cope with that issue but more importantly it confirms UEFA’s fears that the pitch isn’t upto standard, a standards that saw Stjarnan host Celtic on a third rate plastic pitch just a fortnight ago.
CLICK HERE to watch highlights v Rudar Pljevlja
Temperatures in the high thirties in Baku are as predictable as rain through the Glasgow Fair but Qarabag seem to have been caught short as their pitch deteriorated in front of their eyes.
Speaking yesterday Framan Alizadeh, chief executive of the Azerbaijan Football and Sports Management Ltd, the company which maintains the pitch, said: “We are trying everything possible to get the pitch ready at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.
“At the beginning of the summer, the entire pitch was dug up and relaid in preparation for the new football season, but the work was delayed because the stadium was being used for other events.
“But we managed to get it ready for Qarabag’s game with Rudar Pljevlja last month. Unfortunately, the recent extreme high temperatures have affected the centre of the pitch.
“Temperatures have exceeded 40C outside, which has meant that the temperature of the lawn surface has reached as much as 55C. That kind of heat causes the formation of viruses in the turf.
“It has happened not just at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, but other surfaces, too. Although we have stopped the growth of the viruses, it has not allowed the pitch much time to recover.
“I admit the pitch isn’t looking good, but everything possible is being done to fix it. We have experts working on it day and night. There is now no time to move the game, so we will prepare it to the best possible standard and hope it gives Qarabag the maximum chance of winning the tie because it is an important game for the club.”