Lionel Messi: 'Barcelona defeat was inevitable at some point'

Lionel Messi celebrates Barca's fourth goal against Espanyol on January 6, 2013
© AP Photos
Lionel Messi has admitted that he knew Barcelona would eventually be defeated following their 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Tito Vilanova's men were beaten for the first time this season in La Liga, bringing an end to a historic 19-game, 55-point run.

"Losing a game had to come at some point," Messi told reporters after the game. "We have to pick ourselves up immediately because of the cup match coming up."

Barca will look to bounce back when they face Malaga in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
CBarcelona3875100
2Real Madrid386185
3Atletico Madrid383476
4Real Sociedad382166
5Valencia381365
6Malaga38357
7Real Betis38156
8Rayo Vallecano38-1653
9Sevilla38450
10Getafe38-1447
11Levante38-1746
12Athletic Bilbao38-2145
13Espanyol38-944
14Real Valladolid38-943
15Granada38-1742
16Osasuna38-1739
17Celta Vigo38-1537
RMallorca38-2936
RDeportivo La Coruna38-2335
RReal Zaragoza38-2534