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 31-year-old’s shot that was turned in by Munir El Haddadi with six minutes remaining.
At that point, however, Oscar de Marcos had given Bilbao a first-half lead and despite a late fightback, Messi and Barca could not breach the visitors’ granite-like defence for a second goal.
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.
Speaking after the match, Valverde said: “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.
“I know it was the right decision. It was a risk and on this occasion, it didn’t come off.”
