Stamp on Messi was not deliberate - Pau Lopez

Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez insists he did not deliberately attempt to injure Lionel Messi during his side's
defeat to Barcelona.

The 21-year-old stood on the ankle of the Argentina star
after a collision between the two players in the second half
of Wednesday's Copa del Rey tie.

Despite Pau appearing to glance down at Messi's leg before
stepping on him, he is adamant he was not attempting to
hurt the 28-year-old during what was an ill-tempered derby
clash at Camp Nou.

"That I came out there was just a reaction," he said
according to AS. "It's all been blown out of proportion.

"It was just a incident in the game. I got hit in the face as
well, these things happen in a game. I'd never go out on to
the pitch to hurt a colleague."

Espanyol had two players sent off and Luis Suarez could
face punishment after the referee reported that he
had goaded opposition players in the tunnel after the match.

But Pau maintains he relished the chance to face Espanyol's
fierce city rivals despite their 4-1 defeat, adding: "I enjoyed
this match more than any other I have played in. I enjoyed it
like I was a kid.

"When the whistle goes the match ends and we are all
colleagues. If there were Barcelona players who didn't want
to shake my hand that's their problem. It's good to shake at
the end of a match though because we are all professional
colleagues.

"For anyone who comes through the youth system, playing
against Barca is special. I'm happy to be able to wear the
blue and white shirt and play in games like this."

Gerard Pique caused a further storm when he took a swipe
at Espanyol's self-proclaimed title of 'the marvellous
minority', but Pau refused to be drawn into a spat with the
Spain international.

"We know Gerard, he's someone who likes people to talk
about him," he added. "He won't get an answer out of us."