Barça head coach Ronald Koeman reacted to Lionel Messi's sending-off in the Blaugrana's Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Athletic Club on Sunday.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman empathised with Lionel Messi's frustration after the Argentine was sent off in the Blaugrana's Spanish Super Cup final loss to Athletic Club.
Messi saw red for the first time in his illustrious club career as embattled LaLiga giants Barça were upstaged 3-2 by Athletic after extra time in Seville on Sunday.
After Athletic star Iñaki Williams struck in the third minute of extra time, Messi swung at Asier Villalibre in an off-the-ball incident that was spotted by VAR and referee Jesús Gil Manzano brandished a red card.
Messi – who has been tipped to leave Camp Nou amid links with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – is facing a lengthy suspension, but Barça head coach Koeman defended the 33-year-old.
Koeman: "I can understand what Messi did"
"I can understand what Messi did," Koeman said afterwards. "I don't know how many times they fouled him, and it's normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly."
Messi, who was fouled eight times against Athletic, recovered from a minor injury to return to Barcelona's line-up in his 753rd appearance for the Catalan club.
"Leo, after so many years in the elite of football, knows perfectly if he is fit or not," Koeman said. "We spoke before, he said he was fit to play the game, he has given his maximum and nothing else."
Antoine Griezmann scored twice for Barça, including the 40th-minute opener, but his goals were cancelled out on both occasions at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Athletic's Óscar de Marcos equalised in the 42nd minute before substitute team-mate Villalibre forced extra time at the death, after Griezmann had restored Barcç's lead with 13 minutes remaining.
Williams stepped up with a sublime goal as Barça – third in LaLiga and seven points adrift of leaders Atlético Madrid – missed out on their first title under Koeman, who replaced Quique Setién ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.
Barcelona "must defend better"
"We are sad, disappointed by the result," Koeman added. "We played the final to win and not to lose that, yes. But there is no time to get off. We'll be playing soon, there's a cup and a league, there's no time for regrets.
"We have done positive things, we have improved. We have failed in the goals received. We have to be more forceful in defence. We must defend better in the area and not let the opponents think, they cannot control, turn and shoot easily. We can improve.
"My work ... I give the maximum I can. My work is not very good if we had won, nor very bad for losing. We are on the way, there are positive things, although losing today is very hard."
shayanbarcaFAN
450
however...the slap was awesome😂😂🤣
The-Cules
229
No doubt it was a red card occurrence, either you blame Messi or not, something is clear. Messi has played in Barcelona over decades but we never saw such a reaction, this really calls for total match review. I heard the commentator saying regarding the shove "you wanted it, then you get it" a testimony Villalibre has done a lot before the occurrence. And the red card occurrence says it all, Messi released a pass Villalibre clearly came to block him from making the next run, there are practically 2 options, to wait (pointless), to move and fall (that might be termed diving), otherwise the plan of Villalibre is apparent, to deny Messi the move knowing the referee will overlook the offence It is not the first time opposing players take advantage of frustrating Barcelona players, especially whenever the referee shows little or no concern. The match we played saw Athletico Bilbao having 23 fouls against Barcelona 14 fouls, yet there were just 3 yellows for the 23 fouls, I mean only 1 in the actual 90 minutes. Despite seeing Munian and Villalibre practically pulling and dragging Barcelona players when a possible instance of counter attack seems to arise. I am sure Barcelona players wouldn't be pardon for those kind if they were against us. I remember in 2015, a Chelsea fan told me Barcelona has changed because he saw our players responding to hard tackles with equal hard tackles. He said Barcelona players I knew were gentle ones and you easily cheat them because they have no reason to cheat, but now Luis Enrique has motivated them to do the same and it will help Barcelona a lot. I think Koeman need to consider the same now, time to shun cowardice because La Liga will not stand for us, all the officials wait for is to hear a complaint and fine our players and coaches. No doubt, I might not agree with some stuff Koeman did, but I still disagree on the common point that Barca players did not show desire. If referee decisions in La Liga are not reviewed, I fear Barcelona will have any chance. We can all remember that we lost the previous La Liga not only on our play, but we basically lost to referee decisions and VAR. But no matter what, it's not the first time we soar over obstacles, we stand together, we move together and we succeed.
Lewbilmnpt
8
Thank GOD it wasnt CR7 that got sent off, The media would have made billions out it ....Shame to u messi
your ronaldo was a mere spectator against Inter, hide urself in shame bruh