Ronald Koeman defended Lionel Messi after the Argentine star received the first red card of his career at Barcelona.
Messi could face a four-match suspension after being sent off for beating Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Barça lost 3-2, despite having taken the lead twice through Antoine Griezmann, who later said he was “upset” about what happened in Seville.
Koeman said he could empathize with Messi’s frustration, saying the 33-year-old suffered constant fouls during the clash against Athletic.
“I can understand what Messi did,” said Koeman, quoted by ESPN.
(Image: REUTERS)
“I don’t know how many times they missed it, and it’s normal to react when they try to miss it like a player who wants to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again correctly.”
Messi is now suspended for two games, but the ban could be doubled when the competition committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation meets this week to discuss the matter.
The striker will miss the Copa de Rey trip on Thursday to face third division Cornella and the La Liga game on Sunday against Elche.
He may also miss the next round of the Cup if Barça progresses, and Bilbao’s La Liga visit on January 31.
Messi had spent a final training session to start the Super Cup final on Sunday, after losing the semifinal victory over Real Sociedad.
Barça entered the field undefeated nine games in all competitions and looked set to make it 10 when Griezmann scored twice.
But the French striker was denied his first trophy since joining Barça after his goals were canceled out by goals from Oscar De Marcos, Villalibre and Inaki Williams.
“I am pissed off, angry, upset,” Griezmann told reporters after the defeat.
“I have all the bad feelings that I may have after losing a final. We made mistakes in set pieces, we defend badly, we don’t talk about free kicks. These are important details.”
Messi’s first red card in 753 for Barcelona was the fourth of his career overall. He was sent off twice playing for Argentina, including in his debut in 2005, and was sent off during a match against Barça B in the same year.