Koeman backs Umtiti after Sevilla defeat

Ronald Koeman

leaped to the defense of

Samuel Umtiti

after the

defender’s two individual errors were punished with goals in their 2-0 defeat by

in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

Jules Kounde

easily dribbled past Umtiti for his side's opener before the Frenchman was slow to keep up with his defensive line and played

Ivan Rakitic

onside for the second.

Umtiti has struggled for fitness since the start of the last season as he battled injury but has recently worked his way back into Koeman’s squad and he is hopeful to rebuild his career.

"We left a lot of space in the first goal, not just in defense, but from the midfield,"

Koeman told a press conference after the match

.

"And in the second goal we have not done a good job creating the offside. Umtiti was good in the game. He made mistakes like everyone else does.

"It's part of football. It's not fair to go after him. We all lose and we all win together."

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