Pau Lopez was seen stepping on Lionel Messi's ankle, but the Espanyol goalkeeper denies deliberately trying to hurt the Barcelona star.
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 following a cross from Barca midfielder Arda Turan 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 making no attempt to hurt the 28-year-old during what was an ill-tempered derby clash at Camp Nou.