Some fans have been criticizing Xavi for not introducing Fermin Lopez during Barca's defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Instead, the gaffer decided to bring on Barca skipper Sergi Roberto.
Explaining why he didn't make the change, Xavi said: "I wanted to sub Fermin in, but I wasn't allowed to because there were too many reserve players on the pitch."
Copa del Rey rules allow a club to have three reserve youth team players on the pitch. At that moment Barcelona had Pau Cubarsi, Hector Fort and Lamine Yamal on the pitch.
However, Xavi's excuses don't really hold water. The gaffer subbed off Lamine for Marc Guiu seven minutes after introducing Roberto. Xavi could've introduced Roque who is registered as a senior player, which would've allowed him to bring in Fermin.
Xavi would later explain he is alternating between Guiu and Roque for games, but against Bilbao that plan backfired. Guiu didn't make an impact and Roberto was not physically the right midfielder to trust in such a tense moment.
The skipper gave away the ball leading to Bilbao's third goal. After that, he was beaten for pace by Willams and committed a foul that saw him get into the referee's books.
