RB Leipzig greenkeeper Mathias Eichner
Those: RB Leipzig/reason
ZDF today: Mr Eichner, what distinguishes Leipzig’s lawn from that of its competitors?
Mathias Eichner: Well, the differences aren’t that big. There are only nuances between the top five in the league. In the end, it’s all about finding the right mix, and that has to please the players, who also evaluate the pitch. After each game, the captains and referees award marks on a scale of 1 to 10. After a shortlist of the three best clubs, a panel of experts then makes the final vote.
ZDF today: Have you changed anything compared to previous years?
Eichner: A decisive step for us in Leipzig was the switch from natural to hybrid turf in the Red Bull Arena at the beginning of 2022. Especially in winter, the quality can be maintained much better with this mix of natural turf and synthetic fibers.
ZDF today: How does it play on hybrid grass?
Eichner: Of course, you have to ask the players first. But we get consistently positive feedback from our professionals. It is important to the players that they have a good grip, that the ball rolls well and that a fast game is possible. The implanted synthetic fibers stabilize the natural grass and as a result the playing surface is very flat and the ball rolls a little faster.
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ZDF today: What height should an optimal football pitch have?
Eichner: The sewn-in synthetic fiber is 1.5 centimeters high above the ground, and the sown natural grass is 2.5 centimeters high.
ZDF today: Every stadium has its own characteristics. What are the special challenges in Leipzig?
Eichner: Stadium grass is always special compared to outdoor grass. Since there is little or no wind, the surface is more difficult to dry out, and in technical jargon we also speak of shadow pressure from the surrounding stands. In Leipzig we even have a double wall because the arena was built into the old central stadium. Even if we open the gates to the stadium interior, there is still no real draught. In order to still achieve air circulation, we use fans. In addition, almost every Bundesliga stadium now has a lighting system to outsmart the shadow.
ZDF today: Are there still secrets to lawn care or is everything transparent?
Eichner: Since the 2006 World Cup, we have had a large greenkeeper community in Germany. We exchange ideas with each other. Every detail that someone has tried out is shared by the other colleagues. We also look abroad. But one thing is also clear: everyone has to find the right adjustments for their stadium and their specific conditions.
In any case, there are no rivalries among us greenkeepers like there are in the fan scene.
RB greenkeeper Mathias Eichner
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ZDF today: How much feeling does it take to have the best lawn?
Eichner: Greenkeeping is not atomic physics: fertilizing, watering, cutting – there are definitely parallels to the hairdresser. And you have to walk around the course with your eyes open and bring passion. We also use a lot of measurement data. We can tailor our care based on temperature, humidity, salinity, nutrients, hardness and shear strength. This enables us to react to the smallest changes. If you also have a sense of not putting the grass under too much stress, but caring for it evenly, you will deliver a green lawn.
ZDF today: What does your garden at home look like: wild growth or English lawn?
Eichner: To be honest? It’s more of a wild growth. Mainly because my wife loves flower meadows. But I’m also a little happy that I can take it easy at home with lawn care. It’s a nice contrast to my job.
The interview was conducted by Ullrich Kroemer.
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