Real Madrid and Gothenburg are the latest signings for Matchsaver's new automated pitch protection system.

Matchsaver enables a pitch to be covered in less than 10 minutes at the press of a button, maintaining the best possible playing conditions and almost eliminating the need for match cancellation due to adverse weather. Paul Burgess, head groundsman at Real Madrid said: "We constantly strive to keep our playing surfaces in world class condition, this is why we chose the Matchsaver system.

"It was excellent value, both in terms of cost and performance. "The team's training schedule is very tight and we didn't want to be restricted by adverse weather conditions."

He added that the club has requested an additional two systems for its training ground. Matchsave is manufactured and installed exclusively by Matchsaver Ltd (an MMC Group Company) and is suitable for all outdoor sporting venues, including football, rugby, cricket, athletics, American football, baseball, equestrian, tennis and hockey.

Amongst more than 40 installations worldwide are those at Chelsea FC, Juventus FC (pictured), A.E.K Athens, Torino FC, FC Shalke, Burnley FC, Somerset County Cricket Club, Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club and Crystal Palace FC.