Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde admits they struggled to handle Martin Odegaard for their 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.

Odegaard stood out throughout the first half, playing some quite wonderful football, and it was this pressure which contributed to Los Cules' defence losing their shape and conceding a first-half penalty.

"I'm not a referee, I don't know if it was a penalty," Valverde explained in his post-match press conference.

"The players are told about holding in the penalty area, so it has to be very clear.

"I think it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity."

Odegaard wowed supporters yet again, showing Real Madrid exactly what they are missing, and Valverde was quick to praise a player who seems destined to reach his potential once more.

"He is having a great season, now that he is playing continuously we can see the type of player he is," he added.

"The problem with these players is that they are in the half space and you can't track them.

"From what we've seen, he's been very good."