Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Real Betis v FC Barcelona - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - February 7, 2021 Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo
SEVILLE (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman justified resting key players including Lionel Messi in Sunday's 3-2 win at Real Betis in La Liga by saying he wanted to keep his side fresh for the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final clash at Sevilla.
The Dutchman left usual starters Messi, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri out of his starting lineup, but called on the trio to turn the game around after Borja Iglesias had given Betis a first-half lead.
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