Barcelona's opponents had more fear when Lionel Messi was here: Coach Ronald Koeman

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman opened up on his side's 1-1 draw with Athletic and admitted teams have less fear of the Catalan giants now Lionel Messi is not around.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that the absence of Lionel Messi is felt at the Catalan club after his team was held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao. Koeman said that the opposite sides are being bolder against his side now that they can no longer count on Messi. A thumping late strike from Memphis Depay cancelled out Inigo Martinez's header to earn Barca a point but Koeman admitted his team were still keenly feeling the absence of their all-time top scorer and former captain, two weeks after he left Barca for Paris St Germain following 21 years at the club.