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Luis Enrique relieved for 'breath of life' despite loss to Athletic

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

Mahrez named African Player of the Year

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.