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Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas: We showed great character against Athletic Bilbao
The former Arsenal midfielder has hailed his side's iron resolve at San Mames, but insists that they must now focus on their upcoming Copa del Rey clash with Hospitalet
6 Nov 2011 23:10:00
By Livio Caferoglu
Getty Images
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said his side showed great character in the 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday.
In a rain-soaked encounter at San Mames, the champions required an injury-time equaliser from Lionel Messi to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and bag a point on their travels.
Their performance was analysed after the match by Fabregas, who expressed his delight at seeing his team find the inspiration to come back from 2-1 down, while reserving praise for the way Bilbao acquitted themselves.
"It was a typical San Mames match. Bilbao are a team that possess fantastic grit and effort," said Fabregas according to AS. "We have managed to remain undefeated. The last two goals were the result of defensive errors from both teams.
"We knew that once they started to be coached by [Marcelo] Bielsa, combined with them being a historic rival of ours, it would be very complicated.
However, the 24-year-old reminded his side that they now must flush the result out of their system and move onto preparing for their Copa del Rey fixture with Segunda B Division outfit Hospitalet after the international break.
"We showed great character and I am very happy," Fabregas continued. "The important thing for me is to help the team, but now we must think of Hospitalet."
Barcelona have now fallen three points behind league leaders Real Madrid in the Primera Division, but remain in second place.
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In a rain-soaked encounter at San Mames, the champions required an injury-time equaliser from Lionel Messi to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and bag a point on their travels.
Their performance was analysed after the match by Fabregas, who expressed his delight at seeing his team find the inspiration to come back from 2-1 down, while reserving praise for the way Bilbao acquitted themselves.
"It was a typical San Mames match. Bilbao are a team that possess fantastic grit and effort," said Fabregas according to AS. "We have managed to remain undefeated. The last two goals were the result of defensive errors from both teams.
"We knew that once they started to be coached by [Marcelo] Bielsa, combined with them being a historic rival of ours, it would be very complicated.
However, the 24-year-old reminded his side that they now must flush the result out of their system and move onto preparing for their Copa del Rey fixture with Segunda B Division outfit Hospitalet after the international break.
"We showed great character and I am very happy," Fabregas continued. "The important thing for me is to help the team, but now we must think of Hospitalet."
Barcelona have now fallen three points behind league leaders Real Madrid in the Primera Division, but remain in second place.
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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