The day before, Koeman had read out a written statement in which he toned down the expectations of winning titles this season.

However, that did not put the players up.

- I do not wear Barcelona's jersey to be second or third.

I am convinced that despite the bad start, we will challenge at the end of the season, says veteran defender Gerard Pique, according to AP.

Chairman Joan Laporta is said to have been surprised by Koeman's read-out statement.

He is also said not to be on a par with Koeman, who was hired by Laporta's predecessor Josep Bartomeu.

- You always try to win every match, but you have to be realistic and look at which team we have and which ones are missing, says Koeman, who lacked several leading players.

"In this country you are expelled for nothing"

The match itself was a hopeless story, where Frenkie de Jong had to leave the field after receiving two yellow cards within five minutes in the middle of the second half.

And as if that wasn't enough, Ronald Koeman was shown in the stands deep into extra time.

Sergio Busquets received a golden card for kicking a ball, which was not in play but which came on the field, against a Cadiz player.

Koeman protested against this and was expelled.

- In this country you are expelled for nothing.

I calmly asked the judge why and he answered "attitude, attitude", yes, yes.

We let it stay there.

That is not my problem, Koeman said at the press conference afterwards.

Barcelona have only won two of five matches at the start of the season and lost to Madrid at the top of the table.