Poor Pitch Conditions Lead to Injuries for PSM Makassar Players

Several PSM Makassar players were injured during their match against Arema FC in week 22 of the 2024-25 Liga 1 season. The injuries were caused by the poor condition of the Soepriadi Stadium pitch in Kediri, which hosted the game on Monday, February 10, 2025.

PSM Makassar coach, Bernardo Tavares, acknowledged that both teams played well, but the poor quality of the pitch affected their performance. He expressed frustration over the recurring issue, especially after playing away for two seasons only to encounter substandard field conditions again, which led to injuries for his players.

Tavares pointed out that although there are plans to improve Liga 1, progress will be difficult to achieve if the playing surfaces remain in such bad shape. During the match, a few PSM players had to be substituted due to injuries, which limited Tavares' ability to make strategic changes due to a reduced squad.

He further criticized the situation, highlighting the inconsistency between the league's ambition to become the best in Asia and the current state of its playing fields, which do not adequately protect players.