Barcelona defender Gerard Pique congratulated Sevilla for their Copa del Rey first leg performance, though admitted it is up to Ernesto Valverde if Lionel Messi is to come back into the side for the second leg.

A 2-0 defeat at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, means the Blaugrana have it all to do if they are to win the quarter-final tie at the Camp Nou.

"First we have to play the league game against Girona and then focus on the return leg at the Camp Nou," Pique said. "Whether Messi plays is the decision for the coach.

"In the first half we had a very clear opportunity and in the second we could have risked a little more to try and draw the match but Sevilla were better, and I congratulate them for it.

"We have a very competitive squad and the coach wants us all to participate. The performance was good but they took advantage of all their chances."