Renovation works at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on September 10, 2021. EPA
Renovation works at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on September 10, 2021. EPA
Renovation works at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on September 10, 2021. EPA
Renovation works at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on September 10, 2021. EPA

Real Madrid unveil impressive new retractable pitch system for Santiago Bernabeu stadium


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

The days of muddy pitches left to fight against the elements of a heavy winter appear to be long gone. Just see what Real Madrid are doing.

The Spanish giants' Santiago Bernabeu stadium is undergoing renovation work and part of that includes an impressive pitch removal and storage system.

The club released a video showing how the retractable pitch would work and how it would allow the stadium to host events other than football.

These could include the likes of American Football, tennis and concerts.

The pitch system would see the grass divided up into trays which are able to slide underground to reveal an artificial surface underneath.

While the grass is stored underground it is treated with climate control, an irrigation system, UV treatment. A hydraulic elevator then lifts it back up to surface level when it needs to be used again.

A retractable roof has also been added to the stadium, which has a capacity of 81,000.

The work is reportedly set to be completed in 2022.

Real Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday to move them clear at the top of Group D.

Real are second in La Liga, one point behind leaders Real Sociedad.

  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Group D Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Bernabeu in Madrid on November 3, 2021. Real won the match 2-1. AP Photo
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Group D Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Bernabeu in Madrid on November 3, 2021. Real won the match 2-1. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal. AP Photo
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates with Vinicius Junior. AFP
    Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates with Vinicius Junior. AFP
  • Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
    Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP
  • Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema vies with Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Dodo. AFP
    Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema vies with Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Dodo. AFP
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Shakhtar Donetsk. It was Real Madrid's 1,000th goal in the European Cup/Champions League. AP Photo
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Shakhtar Donetsk. It was Real Madrid's 1,000th goal in the European Cup/Champions League. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema shoots on goal. AP Photo
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema shoots on goal. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, left, scores the opening goal. AP Photo
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, left, scores the opening goal. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid players celebrate. AFP
    Real Madrid players celebrate. AFP
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JAPAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie

Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)

Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. 

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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

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The specs

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

Updated: November 06, 2021, 6:37 AM