Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman does not believe Sevilla's 2-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg win over the Blaugrana was a fair reflection of the match, while he also questioned the officials.
Jules Kounde opened the scoring in the first half with a fine individual effort, before former Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic wrapped up a potentially significant win in the latter stages.
Lionel Messi did go close several times for the visitors, with Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou keeping him at bay as he made four saves in total – the Moroccan has saved all 18 shots on target he has had to face in this season's Copa.
The two teams renew hostilities at Camp Nou on March 3 for the second half, though Barca have only progressed past Sevilla once in the Copa when losing the first leg to the Andalusians.
Barca shaded the possession (53.6 per cent) and their 13 shots were two more than the hosts, with Koeman left convinced his side had been hard done by.
"It is a result with too much reward for them," Koeman said. "We have seen a Barca playing well, creating a very clear chances.
"We have put a lot of pressure in the second half. I cannot blame the team. There is another game left, we have to try to win and play the final.
"It is difficult at 2-0. We had opportunities to score, but their defence was good, as was their goalkeeper too, but at home this Barca is capable of anything."
Barca were left frustrated by a moment in the second half where Suso was adjudged to have fouled Jordi Alba just outside the box, yet Koeman and his players were convinced the offence occurred inside the box.
The VAR did not appear to intervene, and this left Koeman bemused.
"Mateu Lahoz [the referee] I think was good in general," Koeman said.
"Of course, there was always doubt with the incident of the penalty, because everyone says it was a penalty, so I have to believe them – not only the Barca people [said it should have been a penalty].
"I don't know why the VAR has not intervened."
Sevilla go into the second leg with a significant advantage and know that an away goal will give Barca a mountain to climb, but they are not getting ahead of themselves, aware the most difficult task is yet to come.
"We knew it was going to be very difficult, the team played a great game, we fought to the end and that is worth it, football gives back to you in this way," Rakitic said.
"But we have half the work left to do in Barcelona."
Coach Julen Lopetegui echoed that sentiment, adding: "The team played a great game against a Barcelona that arrived in good form.
"We played well, we defended well and it was a very beautiful game. Now, we have the most complicated and most difficult thing left, which is to play at the Camp Nou. We are aware of the challenge."
Messi headlines 23-player MLS MVP shortlist
Lionel Messi is one of 23 players to be nominated for the 2024 MLS MVP award, being joined on the shortlist by Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez.
Messi is considered the leading candidate to win the league's top individual prize after scoring 17 goals and contributing 10 assists in just 18 regular-season matches this year.
The Argentina legend has missed large chunks of the campaign through injury, recently sitting out two months with an ankle problem he sustained while representing his country in the Copa America final.
Yet only four players – D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23), Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga, the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez (both 19) and Suarez (18) – have outscored him this term, and he also sits joint-eighth in the assist charts.
Suarez is the other Miami player to be nominated for the prize, having put himself in Golden Boot contention in his first season in the United States.
The Uruguayan's 18 league goals have come from chances with a total expected goals (xG) value of 12.04, giving him an overperformance of 5.96.
Only New York City's Alonso Martinez (6.13, 16 goals from 9.87 xG) and Messi (6.08, 17 from 10.92 xG) have overperformed their underlying figures by a greater margin.
Suarez is also up for the league's Newcomer of the Year award, alongside players including Hugo Lloris of LAFC and the Galaxy's leading scorer Gabriel Pec.
Last season's MVP, FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta, is in the running for the top prize once more after providing more direct goal involvements (30, 14 goals, 16 assists) than any other player in the league.
With Miami winning the Supporters' Shield and remaining on course to break the league's single-season points record (73 by the 2021 New England Revolution), head coach Gerardo Martino has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.
The Colorado Rapids' Chris Armas, Greg Vanney of the LA Galaxy and the Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy are considered among the other leading contenders.
Mainoo one of three England players to pull out of Nations League squad
England have been dealt a triple injury blow before their Nations League matches, with Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ezri Konsa pulling out of the squad.
Earlier on Monday, the Three Lions were boosted by the confirmation that Harry Kane's injury against Eintracht Frankfurt was not serious, and he would be able to play a part in the October fixtures.
However, the trio did not arrive with the rest of the squad at St. George's Park, and Lee Carsley is not expected to call up any replacements.
Mainoo made his international debut earlier this year and has made 10 appearances for England, with one of those caps coming under Carsley against Ireland, but a knee injury that forced him off for Manchester United against Aston Villa will keep him out.
Konsa was also forced off in the second half of that match, having suffered a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw.
Gibbs-White, who was handed his senior England debut by the manager last month, also sustained his issue on Sunday, in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. At under-21 level, the midfielder made 15 appearances under Carsley, with only six players featuring more under him.
England host Greece at Wembley on Thursday before travelling to Helsinki to face Finland on Sunday.
Dixon settling nicely into life at Charlton Athletic; excited to represent Reggae Boyz once again
Charlton Athletic and Jamaica striker Kaheim Dixon says he’s settling into life nicely in the English capital after his summer move from Arnett Gardens FC.
Dixon, who turned 20 on October 4, recently recorded a goal and an assist on his debut for Charlton’s Under 21s against Watford Under 21s.
“Settling in well. I’ve been getting support on and off the field. They’re treating me like family,” Dixon said of his time at Charlton so far in an interview with JFF Live on Monday.
Dixon says he’s also getting support from fellow 20-year-old Reggae Boy Karoy Anderson who has been at Charlton Athletic since 2013 and broke into the first team in 2022.
“Yes, that’s my guy as well. He’s looking out for me as a fellow Jamaican,” Dixon said.
Dixon has been selected to represent the Reggae Boyz in their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Nicaragua and Honduras.
“It’s a great feeling coming back to the national camp to represent my country once again,” Dixon said.
“We’re looking to grab all six points from these games,” he added.
Jamaica will first take on Nicaragua on the road on October 10 before returning home to host Honduras on October 14.
The group held their first training session on Monday at Stadium East and will hold another one tomorrow.
“It was good, high intensity. Everyone was happy and smiling so I thought it was good,” Dixon said of the session on Monday.
Jamaica currently lead League A Group B of the Nations League with four points from two games, same as Nicaragua while Honduras are third on three.
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