Following FC Barcelona's draw against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, the Catalan club's manager has explained why superstar Lionel Messi started El Clasico from the bench.
Click through the gallery above to see some pictures from Wednesday night's El Clasico.
Despite the two Spanish giants drawing 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-final, El Clasico lived up to its hype as both sides produced some brilliant moments of play.
Messi was unable to start the match due to a knock he picked up in Barca's 2-2 draw with Valencia in a LaLiga fixture this past weekend, with Ernesto Valverde confirming the Argentine still felt some irritation in his leg in the build-up to the Clasico.
"The decisions you make are based on what you think is better for the team and the player," he said, according to FourFourTwo.
"He had discomfort. Today he was better but we thought it was best he enter in the second half.
"He could be decisive because we know the danger he creates every time he gets the ball."
As a consequence of his knock, Valverde is not sure the 31-year-old will start against Athletic Bilbao this weekend.
"I don't know. If he's okay, he'll play. I hope it's like that," the coach added.
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The second leg of the semi-final will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on 27 February.
Which side do you think will advance to the final of the Spanish cup? Let us know in the comments section below.
