Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandes, has said his side were unable to beat German Side Eintracht Frankfurt in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter final clash due to the grass in the stadium.
The German side opened the scoring with Ansgar Knauff while Barcelona were able to secure an advantage away with a goal from Ferran Torres to end the game 1-1.
Speaking in a post-match conference, Xavi hailed the German side for making the game tough for Barcelona but expressed the belief that his side will have the upper hand in the return leg at Camp Nou.
He said: “They are physically strong, dangerous on the counter-attack, and they created [chances] but were not able to take advantage of them.
“It’s a difficult pitch, a complicated pitch [to play on]. The grass wasn’t in the best condition, and it made it difficult for us.
“I think the pitch will be better for the second leg. Today the ball did not move well. That’s another reality and it costs us. You had to do one more touch and everything slowed down.
“Well, at the Camp Nou, it will be different.”
