Barca keep Messi on bench, pay

Barcelona, Sept. 30: Ernesto Valverde admitted his gamble to rest Lionel Messi backfired on Saturday as Barcelona drew 1- 1 at home to Athletic Bilbao to make it three games without a victory.

Messi came on in the 55th minute at the Camp Nou and it was the Argentinian’s shot that was turned in by another substitute, Munir El Haddadi, with six minutes left to play.

By then, however, Oscar de Marcos had given Bilbao a deserved first- half lead and despite a late rally, Messi and Barca could not find a winner.

After drawing at home to Girona and being beaten by Leganes, Barca will head to Wembley to face Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday short of rhythm and lacking confidence.

They will also be without Sergi Roberto. Barcelona confirmed after the game he had picked up a thigh strain. The last time Bilbao took a point at the Camp Nou, Valverde was sitting in the away team’s dug- out, in 2004, during his first spell as Bilbao coach.

Now in charge at Barca, he will have questions to answer, having made the bold decision to rest Messi with Spurs in mind, along with Sergio Busquets. Barca will surrender top spot in La Liga if Real Madrid beat Atletico in the city derby later. Bilbao move up to 14th.

“Leaving Messi on the bench is absolutely my responsibility. He has four games in 10 days and I think it’s good for Leo to rest, like Busquets, thinking of the Champions League,” Valverde said.

— AFP