Manager Luis Enrique says Barcelona were unlucky not to earn a point after Calatlan giants start new year with 1-2 defeat to nine-man Athletic Bilbao
Lionel Messi, Luis Enrique
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi wears a dejected look after his team’s 1-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey Round-of-16 first-leg match at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
Barcelona: Luis Enrique believes Barcelona deserved to draw their Copa del Rey first-leg last-16 meeting with nine-man Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.
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The Catalans fell to a 2-1 defeat thanks to two early goals from Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams, with Lionel Messi slashing the deficit with a free kick. The cup holders were unable to capitalise on the dismissals of Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe and head back to the Nou Camp needing a victory in the return leg.
Luis Enrique
Head coach Luis Enrique said: "Our goal gave us oxygen, and in the end we deserved to draw based on everything we created. We just lacked that precise touch in the box.
"Athletic always know how to cause you problems with their pressing game. They took advantage of two bad moves from us and, after two quick raids, they've gone 2-0 up on the scoreboard.
"The first half ended in a bad way with there being loads of cards, even if we did manage to get into their area quite a lot. In the second half we changed it up and deserved more from the game, irrespective of the fact we had numerical superiority.
"The second leg will be difficult as we definitely have to score. Athletic sometimes force you to change the way you play and we will need to find a solution.
"Their pressing forces you to play fewer touches, to maintain position better, and to be more intense."
Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde shared similar concerns about the Nou Camp fixture, telling Marca: "The tie is still quite open. It's always difficult to play there and matches always seem to take forever."
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