SEVILLA 2-2 BARCELONA 2 | VALVERDE
Valverde: "Messi still has pains"
The Barcelona coach confirmed that despite coming on against Sevilla, Leo Messi is still not fit: “The idea was to give him a run-out to get him back up to pace”.
Ernesto Valverde looked back over the events in Saturday's dramatic meeting with Sevilla with Movistar Partidazo - a result which puts Barça 12 points clear of second-placed Atlético, who play host to Deportivo on Sunday night.
Close encounter
Overview of the game
The first half was quite evenly-fought although Sevilla did look dangerous with a few counter-attacks and they took the lead. In the second half, they were comfortable with the situation because they have quick players like Navas. They scored again and that meant we had to start taking risks. We went forward and left them a lot of space at the back. We tried to overwhelm them but they continued to cause us problems on the break. But through sheer insistence we fought our way back.
Was it pride that pushed Barça to bounce back?
It's fair to say that we were given difficulties but Sevilla are a very good team and they were at home, in front of their people. They could have punished us on the break but we had to take that risk and when you do that, there is always a possibility that you will be caught out.
Barcelona to address defensive errors
Are you worried that Sevilla found it so easy to get close to your penalty area?
Generally, we have been a side which doesn't concede many goals. After letting the second one in we reacted by pushing forward more. It's something which we need to take a look at but it's not something which usually happens.
Messi saves the day
Would Messi have come on if the score had been different?
He was going to come on anyway at some point in the game. He still has a few niggles and he hasn't playing in a while so we thought we would give him a run-out to get him back up to pace.
Will this game serve you for when you meet Sevilla again the Copa del Rey final?
It will be a reference, it's important to have a clear idea about your rivals and we have to prepare ourselves to face an opponent of Sevilla's characteristics.
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