Levante of Spain winger, Moses Simon is under the spotlight on a team level, after his club beat Barcelona in Copa del Rey, and his coach, Paco Lopez admits it was a thrilling result.
Sports247.ng reports that Simon played all 90 minutes of the encounter, which his side won 2-1 at home on Thursday night, after which he and his teammates received pats on the back from the coach.
Although Moses’ coach admitted Barca were well below full strength, he insists it is a result worth celebrating and praised his wards for a job well done, even as he expects more effort in the second leg.
There was no Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez for the holders, who have lifted the trophy in each of the past four seasons, while Gerard Pique was also missing, but Moses’ coach says his lads rose to the occasion pretty well.
Ernesto Valverde’s men will be widely expected to overturn the deficit at Camp Nou next week and reach the quarter-finals, but Lopez savoured a rare victory over the league leaders.
Levante raced into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes through Erick Cabaco and Real Madrid loanee, Borja Mayoral, only to see Barca grab a potentially crucial away goal through Philippe Coutinho’s late penalty.
Moses’ coach beamed with delight, adding: “They were not the best players in the world, but I am very proud of having defeated Barca.
“For a team like ours to beat Barca has much merit. We wanted to win the match because in a tie it is very difficult to eliminate them.
“We will compete next week in the same way and think the same. I congratulate the team for the work and the effort.
“[The late penalty] is a shame, because although they had chances, the team has deserved to make it 3-0, but again, I’m very happy, we’ll talk about the coming week of the return.”
