Madrid take Man City's complaints as an attack

Real Madrid players were surprised to hear Pep Guardiola and Rodri Hernandez complain about the state of the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after their 3-3 draw in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

According to 'EFE', all the Real Madrid players who took part in the match against Manchester City are "surprised" after hearing Guardiola's statements.

"I haven't walked on it, but my players have told me so. Don't take it badly. The pitch is spectacular. The dressing room, everything... it's an impressive piece of work. Real Madrid have always had an incredible pitch, it was like a carpet. Today it wasn't like that, but I'm sure they'll fix it," Guardiola said.

The Spanish club recognise that the condition of the pitch is not perfect but that it is in very good condition for an elite match, as endorsed by the UEFA report prior to the match and after the first leg of the quarter-final.

Guardiola was joined by Spanish midfielder Rodri in commenting on the state of the pitch. "It wasn't right. For the way we play, I think it hurt us a bit. We don't make excuses, but it wasn't right. A lot of times, from the top, you don't see the perspective," he said in an interview.