Arsenal travelled to Madrid for the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final but the pitch in the Spanish capital was the subject of discussion after their defeat

Former Arsenal men’s star Ian Wright has hit out at the playing surface used by Real Madrid as their women’s team bested their Gunners counterparts on Tuesday night. Wright’s comments echo those of Arsenal boss Renee Slegers, who has called for women’s football to prioritise improvement.

Arsenal and Real Madrid were drawn against one another in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League, with the men’s sides also due to face off in their equivalent competition in April. The women played their first leg in Madrid, whereas the men will play their second leg in the Spanish capital.

The venue for the game was Estadio Alfredo di Stefano. The stadium – home to Madrid’s men’s reserve team – was briefly used by the men’s senior side while work was done on Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Linda Caicedo put Real Madrid in front before half-time, with Spanish international Athenea making it 2-0 late on. The return leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on March 26.

Slegers’ concern was…