Athletic Bilbao Coach Ernesto Valverde has lamented his side’s loss to Barcelona and the uneven playing field on which they’re competing.
Neymar came off the bench to score twice at Camp Nou in a game that had been largely equal until the Brazil captain’s intervention.
Valverde said after the match that he had nothing negative to say regarding his team’s performance as they did well considering the opposition.
“Games at Camp Nou never seem to end. Barca try to pressure you from the front and the dynamic high pressing is returning like other years,” he commented, Marca reports.
“There are times that Barca overwhelm you, then they have Lionel Messi, who attracts several defenders with his enormous quality.
“I can’t blame the players for anything. Competing against Barca is complicated. The difference is clear but we tried to match their pressing.
“Aymeric Laporte made a mistake but he has given us a lot in other games.”
Valverde concluded by pointing out one major difference between the sides – the depth available to his counterpart, Luis Enrique.
“Neymar is a star in his country. He’s a player who cost more than the entire Athletic budget,” Valverde pointed out.
“He has a special quality.”
