Xavi, Ferran Torres criticise Eintracht Frankfurt pitch after first-leg draw in Germany

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has complained about the state of the pitch at the Deutsche Bank Stadium, the venue of their Thursday night Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. 

Despite the Blaugrana picking up a positive 1-1 draw away in Germany, Xavi slammed the state of the pitch tagging it as 'not in a good condition.'

Ferran Torres found the back of the net in the 66th minute to draw Barcelona level after Ansgar Knauff had put the home side ahead in the 48th minute.

In his post-match press conference, Xavi praised the counter-attacking prowess of the Frankfurt team, describing them as 'demons.'

Xavi said: "It's a difficult rival, physical, coming out like demons on the counter and we haven't known how to stop those transitions. We haven't been fine in the circulation of the ball either."

The Barcelona manager then slated the condition of the pitch while stating that the return leg will be much better because of the better pitch at Camp Nou.

"The pitch was not in a good condition. The pitch wasn't great, but we got a decent result. 

"The pitch will be better for us in the second leg, today the ball didn't circulate so well…

Xavi also sent a message to the Blaugrana fans, asking them to make Camp Nou a 'pressure cooker' during the return leg next Thursday.

"The atmosphere has been extraordinary, and at the Camp Nou it will also be extraordinary and this will help us all," Xavi said. 

Similarly, Thursday's goalscorer Ferran Torres hit out at the state of the pitch, describing the stadium as 'not in good condition.'

Torres also said in his post-match press conference: "We knew they're a very tough opponent and the pitch was not in the best condition. However, a draw could be important for the return leg."

Barcelona will host Frankfurt for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash at the Camp Nou with the Spanish giants needing an outright victory to proceed to the semifinal stage.