Koeman defends Umtiti after the Barcelona man sees TWO errors punished by Sevilla goals

Ronald Koeman leapt to the defence of Samuel Umtiti after the Barcelona defender saw two individual errors punished with goals in their 2-0 defeat by Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg. 

Seville defender Jules Kounde easily dribbled past Umtiti for his side’s opener before the Frenchman was slow to keep up with his defensive line and played Ivan Rakitic onside for the second.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Koeman was in no mood to single any individual out after an underwhelming team display.

Samuel Umtiti had a night to forget as Barcelona were beaten by Sevilla in the Copa del Rey

But Barcelona boss Koeman stuck up for Umtiti and said his side didn’t deserve to lose 

‘We left a lot of space in the first goal, not just in defence, but from the midfield,’ Koeman said.

‘And in the second goal we have not done a good job creating the offside. Umtiti was good in the game. He made mistakes like everyone else does.

‘It’s part of football. It’s not fair to go after him. We all lose and we all win together.’

Umtiti has battled for form and fitness across the last 18 months at Barcelona and Wednesday’s Copa del Rey appearance was only his ninth appearance so far this season.

According to The Athletic earlier this week, Umtiti rejected the chance to join Liverpool in the January transfer window as Jurgen Klopp’s side scrambled to find defensive cover for injured trio Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk.

Umtiti and Barcelona meet Sevilla in the second leg on March 3 in a bid to reach the final

For Barcelona, the defeat is a significant blow considering the Copa del Rey offers Koeman his best chance of silverware. They must overturn the two-goal deficit at the Nou Camp on March 3.

‘It’s a very tough punishment. We should have got a better result, we had a lot of chances and played well but leave here with a bad result,” Koeman said.

“It did not reflect what we saw on the pitch. I don’t think this will affect us, we’ll continue with the same mentality and commitment.’