Atletico had half-time trick up their sleeve after failed Arsenal complaint over Metropolitano pitch

Atletico Madrid appeared to deploy a familiar bit of gamesmanship during their Champions League clash with Arsenal, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

The moment came after pre-match concerns about the pitch, adding another layer to an already tense European semi-final first leg.

Atletico Madrid spotted only watering Arsenal’s half of pitch at the interval

Footage circulating on social media showed sprinklers focused heavily on the half Arsenal were set to defend in the second period at the Metropolitano Stadium.

It followed a failed request from Gunners staff before kick-off, who had asked UEFA to measure the grass length.

A cynic might say Atletico are only watering the end of the pitch Arsenal will be defending in the second half… pic.twitter.com/eULuF6ZsG1

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) April 29, 2026

The pitch was found to be within regulations at 26mm, which is comfortably inside the permitted 21-30mm range.

Despite that, several players had already been seen slipping during the first half, with more incidents occurring after the break, prompting raised eyebrows over whether conditions had been deliberately altered.

FGG says: Atletico pitch antics fit familiar pattern under Diego Simeone

You would expect nothing less from an Atletico side managed by Diego Simeone.

Whether it’s slowing the game down, controlling the tempo or, in this case, potentially influencing pitch conditions, they’ve built a reputation for doing whatever it takes within the rules.

But it’s hardly new, as they did similar antics against Spanish rivals Barcelona in the quarter-finals, so Arsenal knew what they were walking into. These little details are often part of the battle when you face Simeone’s side.

In games this tight, every marginal gain matters, and Atletico are often masters at finding them.