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Luis Enrique praises battling Barca after narrow loss

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique was relieved to find his side's Copa del Rey hopes still alive after an eventful 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

The holders fell 2-0 behind at a fired up San Mames, with veteran striker Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams on target for Ernesto Valverde's men.

Aduriz should perhaps have been sent off for appearing to strike Barca centre-back Samuel Umtiti in the throat and Neymar was denied a seemingly obvious penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Referee Fernandez Borbalan's erratic showing turned on Athletic during the second half when Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe were sent off for collecting second bookings.