Over the last 3 seasons Astana has played three times in European group stage action, once in the Champions League and twice in the Europa League. Over that period of time the Kazakhstan champion has played 16 home matches at the Astana Arena which included the likes of Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Olympiacos and Celtic with the hosts winning 8 matches and drawing the other 8. The club which Head Coach Stanimir Stoilov built has succeeded thanks to financial investment and quality foreigners but does the synthetic pitch also play a part in their success?

While the majority of football matches take place on natural grass which is where most youngsters hone their trade, the question must be asked if their is an advantage playing on a synthetic pitch. Although it is not common practice, there are a number of clubs around the world whose stadiums use artificial turf. Generally the reason is due to cold weather conditions which makes it difficult to grow natural grass and they use the synthetic surface as a substitute. Among the clubs that use artificial turf are many in Scandinavia and Russia, as well as France, Young Boys in Switzerland and Boavista from Portugal.

The Sport Science program on ESPN tested the differences between natural grass and synthetic turf. According to the study the ball jumped 28% higher on a synthetic surface meaning that the surface helped the ball maintain more speed making the game move at a faster pace. This figure will also have an impact on the players’ actions, which should be higher.

The program also discussed the issues with synthetic surfaces which contributes to more injuries including skin burns and the fact that playing on natural grass reduces the overall risk of injury by 10-14%. However, the main problems are knee injuries where the chances rise by about 50%.

There are a number of people who are familiar with the subject including Dr. Itzik Ben Melech and former Maccabi player Klemi Saban.

The first issue that was looked at by both was how the surface impacts the game itself. Saban explained: “I played on a synthetic pitch in an away match in Europa League qualifying when I was with Maccabi Netanya and it was the only time in my career that I did. When I was with Steaua Bucharest in Romania we trained many times on a high quality synthetic pitch. From what I remember, it was not the most comfortable of surfaces and the feel of the ball on the surface is different. I know that there are very high end artificial surfaces across Europe, for example in the French league, but it still is not the same thing. Since they were really good pitches, I can’t tell how big a difference there is between the synthetic and grass but you can feel the difference. Sometimes it’s hard to play a passing game because you can’t always receive the ball exactly how you would on real grass, so it takes time to get used to.”

Ben Melech, who is also the head of the Methodology and Medicine in Sports Department at the Wingate Institute gave his opinion: “The ball doesn’t move as it normally should and most players are used to playing on natural grass. The speed and intensity is also not the same while the accuracy may drop as well.”

So how do you prepare to play on such a surface? “You need to practice on the surface more than just once. The shoes and cleats are the same. Perhaps some of the players will choose to play with metal cleats because they may feel that they could slip, but there really is no difference,” Saban explained. “In Israel, the artificial surfaces are not the same quality as in Europe and if it’s allowed to play on these pitches I don’t think that there will be a very big difference.”

Despite the non-conventional surface, there are still some positives with playing on a synthetic pitch as Ben Melech explains: “I can say that the artificial turf adds to the players’ speed because the bounce is better. Just like an athletic track, synthetic will always be faster.”

Saban added: “After a practice or two you get used to it and some players might like it better. Technical players will have a shorter adjustment period and will have an easier time in my opinion. It’s a matter of getting used to the surface just like when you play on a grass surface that has holes in it or a wet pitch. The main difference is how you feel on the pitch itself. It may be a bit odd at first and the shoes won’t stick to the ground as usual.”

Ben Melech looked at the injury aspect and explained: “Synthetic surfaces are not healthy from an orthopedic perspective and the heavier the player the more prone to injuries he will be especially in the back and knees. When you are dealing with children it’s not a big deal but with older players it is and I’m sure some players will feel the difference. The problem with the surface is not so much running or handling the ball but when your foot lands on the surface which can cause a bigger shock than normal because the pitch has more bounce and is harder.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League journey continues Thursday night at 18:00 Israel time when they face Astana on Matchday 3 of the Europa League. This evening Head Coach Jordi Cruyff looked at the challenge that lies ahead for his club against the Kazakhstan champions:

Injuries on both Astana and Maccabi:
“We also have many injures so it’s probably equal. We left about 6-7 players in Tel Aviv.”

Goals in the Europa League:
“All four teams have the same objective as we all feel that Villarreal are the favorites in the group. They are a Spanish team and will always be favorites. I think it’s quite equal between 2,3,4 and we will all take points from each other. We have two games against Astana and whoever takes more points in these games will have a good chance to be second.”

About the Astana Head Coach Stanimir Stoilov:
“Yes, we know each other and met many years ago in Cyprus and from then on we have always followed each other and I have looked at his results. I’ve always been very happy for him as he made it to the Champions League Group Stages and has won his league here a number of times. I wish him all the best, but not tomorrow. I like him as a coach and as a person and I respect him.”

Who’s stronger? Astana or Kairat?
“In the local league Astana has won the championship so on paper they are supposed to be stronger. Kairat was very good against us. When we played last July/August we were not yet in a good form and we were a it lucky to qualify that round. If we would have played Kairat any a different moment I think we could have done better. But this is a new opponent on an artificial pitch in different conditions. This opponent has a very good recent European history and we have to respect that.”

Having held many positions since his playing career:
“I just like football. Every experience is good and I’m very happy with the choices and we don’t know yet what the future will bring.”

Being the son of Johan Cruyff:
“My father was a legend as a player had legendary vision as a coach. Legends are legends and the rest of us are just trying to work hard to get our own results. We can’t compare even if I am his son as we are two different people. He was a legend and I am not. Like almost all coaches we like to play attacking and offensive football but I don’t think that it’s logical for me to compare myself to him. I am not as food as him and neither is 99% of football people these days.”

Sheran Yeini, the Yellow & Blue Captain spoke at the prematch press conference ahead of the Europa League Matchday 3 contest against Astana in Kazakhstan:

“Like Jordi said, the games between the other three teams other than Villarreal are very important and whoever takes the most points will go through. We all want to go through. We know that it’s a tough game against a physical team who has a good record at home. We will give them a lot of respect but we will come and fight.”

More about the Astana squad:
“Astana has very physical squad with good strength and speed so it will be tough to handle them in the challenges. They have strong strikers and are quick on the wings with tall defenders. We need to play our game, control the ball and play on the ground while getting used to the pitch.”

Playing on a synthetic pitch:
“Most of the players haven’t played on an artificial pitch while some of us who have played in Europe have. I think that it won’t be a problem as we have one day to adjust.”

About Egor Filipenka Belarus teammates who are on Astana:
“I talked to Egor about this. It is the right defender and a midfielder. He spoke to me about them but I don’t want to say too much of what he said. Although he said that they are quality players and enough to know how I can handle them on the pitch.”

Concerns about Astana:
“I think that we are usually worried about the strikers and they will be the dangerous players.”

On the Kairat match last year:
“I spoke to my teammates and they said that it was difficult match and that they were a strong team.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Hapoel Beer Sheva on Monday October 23rd at 21:00 on Matchday 8 of the Israel Premier League at the Toto-Turner Stadium. Tickets are on sale as per the Away Match Points System and the highest points earners will be given the right to purchase a ticket to the contest.

A fan that has earned the right to purchase a ticket will receive an SMS with a link to complete the transaction for one ticket until Sunday October 22nd at 12:00. A fan that doesn’t purchase the ticket by them will lose the right to purchase the ticket. Tickets may be purchased via the Leaan Website, the Leaan Ticket Office located at 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv and by telephone *8780.

When making the purchase via the website, telephone or Leaan Ticket Office you must have your Season Ticket number/ID number for those who don’t have a season ticket. Please confirm your phone number and email at the time of purchase.

Please note:
Points will not be earned for this match
Print at home is available

Ticket Prices
Leaan Ticket Office
Adult – 99 NIS
Child/Soldier/Woman – 49.5 NIS

Telephone/Website</strong>
Adult – 104 NIS
Child/Soldier/Woman – 54.5 NIS