Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he encouraged his side to play from the back during their 3-1 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday.

Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez scored first-half goals while Andre Gomes added another after the break to help the Spanish champions cruise past the Absa Premiership champions.

Though Lionel Messi, Gerrard Pique and Philippe Coutinho all started from the bench, an otherwise strong Barca XI encountered few hiccups, aside from a Sibusiso Vilakazi consolation strike in the 76th minute.

Mosimane says he was proud of his side’s efforts against the Spanish giants, despite suffering a defeat in Johannesburg.

‘I’m proud of Masandawana, they played well they played the way I wanted them to play. They tried to play from the back as usual but they paid their school fees because they [Barcelona] put a lot of pressing traps,’ Mosimane told SuperSport TV after the game.

‘It is good, it is right, I encourage them to play from the back. They must not be afraid.

‘Bangaly [Soumahoro] made a mistake and they scored, [Hlompho] Kekana made a mistake and they scored.

‘Had Percy [Tau] scored it could have been a different story and also “Langer” [Tebogo Langerman] but he decided to play it across [when] he could have shot.’

Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League encounter against Horoya at the Stade 28 Septembre on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 6pm.