Filed under: Euro 2012, Football
The standard, or shall we say the sub-standard Wembley surface, has been much maligned in recent years.But the Millennium Stadium pitch hasn't fared much better, coming in for widespread criticism ever since the ground was opened in 1999.
The £120 million stadium may have won over those doubters by successfully hosting major domestic finals, but the pitch has always been the stumbling block.
So once again, it will come under microscope on Saturday, when England head to the Welsh capital to face Wales.
Some would say the pitch has been barely fit to graze cattle on, but another bobbly surface pitch could have an impact on both teams for the Euro 2012 Championship qualifier.
It's no coincidence that Wales have since moved from the 74,500-capacity stadium, claiming those conditions have been as much of a hindrance as the sparse crowds.
James Collins and Craig Bellamy were among those to blast the state of the pitch in the past, when Wales have played qualifying games for major tournaments there.
"The pitch out there is horrendous, it's not a good pitch to play football on," said Aston Villa defender Collins, following the international against Finland in 2009.
Bellamy went a step further after a World Cup qualifier the previous year, suggesting the rugby players get preference over their football counterparts.
He said: "It's not the greatest pitch, it's a rugby pitch. They don't look after us here."
The turf has has to withstand a busy schedule which has seen Six Nations rugby and rugby league in recent weeks. But Millennnium Stadium general manager Gerry Toms has played down fears it will be problematic and ruin the spectacle ahead of the first football game to be played there in 18 months.
Dismissing Bellamy's claim that Welsh football gets overlooked for the oval ball game, he said: "There have been occasions where in the past, because we are a multi-event stadium, the criticism has probably been quite fair.
"But we always strive to get the best possible surface. It doesn't matter if it's a game for the Welsh Rugby Union, the FAW, rugby league, or anyone else. We always work very hard.
"The staff work 100 per cent for football as they do for rugby. It's always a challenge and looking back over the last 10 years it's not been without it's trials and tribulations.
"Effectively you are trying to grow grass in a building where there is little light and that's the major problem and where the lighting systems really help.
"But the pitch is fine for the football, I am very confident of that.
"The benefit is now we are getting into the warmer weather and that's what we need - a bit of warmth and sunshine.
"If you've got a permanent pitch it's a lot easier for it to recover but it's looking okay for the game."
Any groundsman will admit that lack of sunlight and poor ventilation has a detrimental effect on grass - despite investing heavily on the latest technology to solving the long-standing issue.
Adding to these problems is the fact that the turf lies on imported grass pallets which can be removed to make way for events such as concerts.
The Millennium has a roof but - just like Wembley - the pitch has been ripped up and relaid dozens of times.
But while poor quality of grass can be overlooked in rugby when the ball is often in hand, Millennium Stadium chiefs know they need to get it right on foot when Fabio Capello's men come to town.
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