Ahead of Manchester City's UEFA Champions League tie with Swiss side Young Boys on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola has lashed out at the playing conditions his charges will have to endure.
With the Manchester club set for a trip to Switzerland on Wednesday night, the Spanish tactician has expressed his concern about playing on an artificial pitch, something the reigning European champions "are not used to".
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Guardiola explained that although the artificial pitch itself is in good condition, opposition teams are essentially being forced to adapt in order to play on a surface that suits the home team better.
"Grass is better, 99.9% of the teams who play in high level play on grass, otherwise UEFA and FIFA would decide to play on artificial pitch. It's common sense I would say," the Citizens boss said in a pre-game press conference, per the Daily Mirror.
"But it is what it is and if UEFA allow games to be played here, it's because it is in good conditions. It is one of the reasons we never train away but this is an exception. Hopefully not for both sides but I don't know.
"We are not used to it. Any team that plays here is not used to it. It suits the Swiss league, and in the Champions League the teams that come here have to adapt. My friends in Manchester know they ask me every press conference, 'When are you going to win it?'
"Now it disappears. It's nice and we enjoy it for the moment. Travelling all around the world showing the Champions League everywhere, but now we try to arrive in the last 16 knowing how difficult this competition is."
Meanwhile, Switzerland international Manuel Akanji has expressed his desire to replicate last season's success by winning more silverware.
"I want to go again this season and win all that's possible," he said.
"Unfortunately, we can't win the Carabao Cup but all the other competitions I hope we can fight for them and hopefully lift some more trophies this year."
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