Valverde: Last year Barcelona paid for the energy used in the Copa del Rey Sevilla vs Barcelona Lost to Sevilla 2-0

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was happy with the performances of his players but lamented last season and the effort it took to win the Copa del Rey, which cost them in other competitions.

A 2-0 first leg defeat at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan against Sevilla, means life will be tough at the Camp Nou with the Blaugrana not favourites to progress.

"During the first half we had the game more or less under controll," Valverde told the press, "but Sevilla were more successful and then they grew into the game.

"Obviously we have not been able to create a lot of scoring chances which was a problem for us."

Surprisingly, Valverde opted to play new signings with Kevin-Prince Boateng from the start, with Lionel Messi rested and Luis Suarez on the bench.

"It is true that today I made changes that I thought they were for the best," he continued. "I don't regret resting Messi, it is what I had to do. It was a risky decision to start Boateng but I thought I had to take it.

"It seems that when you win the cup many times, you do not value it until you lose it. So at the moment I say no."

When quizzed on whether or not Barcelona have thrown away their chances of retaining the Copa del Rey, Valverde feels it is a competition in which the club have felt the consequences of when trying to win other trophies.

"Last year we paid price for the the effort to continue in the cup," he continued, "and this year we are rotating more because we think it is best.

"I analyse everything. I think we had areas where were we did well and others in which they were better. But, regardless of the result this is still a success."