In recent years, Manchester City made a real name for themselves as a team that’s notoriously difficult to beat at the Etihad Stadium.
Prior to their loss to Tottenham in November, Manchester City had gone 52 consecutive home matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Likewise, the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United are considered tough places for opposition teams to visit.
Liverpool’s ground, Anfield, is well known for having an incredible atmosphere, while Newcastle’s fans are well known for their passion at St James’ Park.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard recently shared which stadium he has found the most difficult to play at in the Premier League.
He had to pick one out of the Etihad, Anfield, St James’ Park and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Martin Odegaard snubs the Etihad Stadium
This season, Sky Sports has been running the Sticker Book Challenge, in which guests are invited to make their pick out of four options in various subjects.
When it came to the subject of the most difficult away day for him, he had to pick between Man City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Odegaard said: “I think the one that sticks out for me is Newcastle and St James Park, to be honest.
“I’ve always felt like you go there and it’s a really tough place to go, obviously the way they play as well, really physical and strong team, so it’s always hard to play them.
“The stadium, you know, the fans are properly on it… yeah, I’m going to go for that one. They’re all difficult but I will take that one.”
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The Real Madrid star who said the Etihad Stadium was the toughest stadium he had ever played at
The Etihad Stadium has sometimes found itself on the receiving end of criticism from rival fans who allege various things about the intensity and noise.
However, when a Real Madrid star says it’s the hardest stadium he has ever played at, it shows the real picture.
In 2023, when Federico Valverde was asked which stadium was the most difficult to play, the Real Madrid midfielder’s response was immediate.
“[The Etihad] stadium,” he said. “Their fans and the way they play, all difficult.”
Meanwhile, Marca also sung the Etihad’s praises after City’s 4-0 hammering of Real in 2022/23, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“The Etihad doesn’t have the best reputation in terms of atmosphere, but the City fans were in fine voice on Wednesday, celebrating their team putting on a footballing lesson,” they wrote.
“The passion from the stands could be felt and this may have helped shut down any hope of a Madrid comeback.
“The atmosphere was possibly the harshest Real Madrid encountered in many years. A complete trap.”
