Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde defended his team selection for their Copa del Rey defeat to Levante.

Barca lost the first-leg of their round 16 tie 2-1.

"I picked the best team I thought we could pick," said Valverde, who left Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba in Barcelona.

"It's served us to evaluate players in some tough moments, like in a Primera Division game. I know it's a risk, but you have to take risks a lot of the time."

Valverde said he was happy with new signing Jeison Murillo's debut but admitted it was a tricky game for B team defenders Chumi and Juan Miranda.

He added: "I am happy with Murillo, he has experience and he knows how to approach these type of games. As for the kids, it was a difficult test, but that's how it is, no?"