Antic admits Barcelona lost their nerve during 2-2 draw

Barcelona's new coach Radomir Antic blamed the penalty awarded to Sunday's rivals Athletic Bilbao for the Catalans' latest dismal display in Spain.

After being two goals up in 11 minutes, thanks to strikes from Javier Saviola and Marc Overmars, Barcelona in the end had to settle for a 2-2 draw with their Basque visitors.

"A draw was unfair and bad luck but the turning point was the penalty just after half time. I could see that affected our players negatively and helped raise Athletic's spirits," commented Antic after the game.

Santiago Ezquerro scored from the spot for Athletic four minutes after the break after a questionable penalty awarded when Barca's new signing Juan Pablo Roman brought down Bilbao striker Tiko Martinez.

"The foul was definately outside the area," added Antic.

Five minutes later, Francisco Yeste equalised for Athletic after Tiko's free kick had bounced off three players before falling at his feet.

"We kept on trying to get the winner after that but we got nervious. Doubts and disorganisation started to set in and we lost our rhythm. We didn't fall apart because of any lack of fitness," said the Serbian coach who was appointed a week ago after the sacking of his predecessor Louis van Gaal.

"I am sure the team is going to function much better very soon."
It will have to if Barcelona are to avoid relegation for the first time in their history.

Along with Real Madrid and Athletic, Barca have been ever present since the Spanish first division was founded in 1928.

However, they have now gone five league games without a win and Sunday's result at leaves them in 15th place in the Spanish first division, their lowest ever position, and only two points above the relegation zone.

To add to the tension surrounding the Nou Camp, next weekend Barca must travel the short distance across the Catalan capital to the Montjuic Olympic stadium and face a resurgent Espanyol in the local derby.

"It is going to be an uncomfortable week, not helped by a lot of players being on midweek international duty," admitted Antic.

Espanyol, despite still being in the relegation zone, have only lost one match in their last seven since former Spanish national coach Javier Clemente took over at the helm in December.