Ronald Koeman defended Lionel Messi after the Argentine star received the first red card of his Barcelona career. Messi could face a four-match ban after being sent off for taking a swipe at Athletic Bilbao's Asier Villalibre in Sunday's Spanish Supercopa final.
Barca lost 3-2 after squandering a two-goal lead given to them by Antoine Griezmann, who afterwards said he was "p***ed off" at what transpired in Seville.
Koeman said he could empathise with Messi's frustration, saying the 33-year-old was fouled constantly during the clash against Athletic. "I can understand what Messi did," said Koeman, quoted by ESPN. "I don't know how many times they fouled him, and it's normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is
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