England supporters were left dismayed as they observed the condition of the pitch at the Deutsche Bank Park stadium during the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 match against Denmark. Despite Gareth Southgate adhering to the same starting lineup for the sake of ‘continuity’, the English team encountered difficulties in finding their rhythm in the initial stages of the game. The playing surface proved to be a significant obstacle for England as they sought to replicate the fast start they had against Serbia.
The decision to close the roof for the match, due to adverse weather in Frankfurt, and the humid conditions resulted in the pitch cutting up, with substantial pieces of turf becoming airborne whenever players made tackles or slid to make contact with the ball. The state of the pitch even sparked concerns over player safety, with Kyle Walker compelled to change his footwear amid fears of sustaining an ankle injury. Notably, BBC co-commentator Alan Shearer inferred that Walker may have injured himself when the turf gave way as he surged forward.
Predictably, England fans took to social media to express their indignation at the deplorable conditions in which such a significant game was being played. Some fans likened the pitch to that of a Sunday league, with many dreading that an injury was inevitable under such perilous circumstances.
Despite the challenges posed by the pitch, England managed to seize the lead in the 18th minute through a scrappy goal from Harry Kane. However, their advantage was short-lived as Kane’s loss of possession allowed Morten Hjulmand to equalise with a spectacular long-range strike just 16 minutes later. The controversy surrounding the pitch conditions only contributes to the intrigue of England’s Euro 2024 campaign, as they continue to encounter obstacles on their pursuit for success in the tournament.