Quique Setien refused to credit Real Valladolid for largely stifling Barcelona during the Blaugrana's 1-0 win on Saturday, which brought about a response from Valladolid coach Sergio Gonzalez.
The team from Castilla y Leon deserved better against Barcelona after an impressive second-half display, but Setien instead pointed to the heat, the dry pitch and his players' lack of rest.
"It's not a football issue," he said post-match.
Sergio subsequently came out fighting and refused to be put down by the Barcelona boss.
"Quique always tries to minimise us, he already did it when he was at [Real] Betis," Sergio said.
What the coach is referring to is a match last season when Valladolid picked up all three points away at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
On that occasion, Setien argued that it was tough for Betis to attack when the other team has 10 players in their own box.
"The answer has been on the pitch," Sergio added after losing to Barcelona.
"If there has been a team that has generated dangerous chances, it has been us.
"The heat and the pitch were the same for everyone."
Somechelzyfans
45
please understand Setien he is trying to find an excuse of why they played so badly in the second half that's why he said dry pitch and luck of rest
Willhen
41
Setien is shameless, thinking he is the best in football and player management but he didnt realise he just need Messi to keep playing so as to keep his job, every manager in Barca is the same, just play Messi and u keep your job. no tactics, no instinct, literally just play Messi. poor Barca really gonna suffer in future without Messi. freaking sure about it
CalebAleb
15
Small teams tactics. Poor pitch maintenance