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Eric Abidal delighted with Barcelona's 'big win' over Real Madrid in Copa del Rey
The French defender, who netted the winning goal in the second half in a 2-1 win at Santiago Bernabeu, added that his team must show focus in the return match.
Jan 18, 2012 7:27:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Barcelona match-winner Eric Abidal was enthused by his side's second-half showing in its 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday night
But he insisted that the Copa del Rey quarterfinal tie is not over yet after Barca rallied back after falling behind early on following Cristiano Ronaldo's strike in the 11th minute.
With a one-goal advantage and two away goals already in the bag, Barca looks to progress to the last four. The return clash will be played at Camp Nou next Wednesday.
"We have won a big game away from home that we wanted to win,” he is quoted as saying by AS. “But we can’t look back because it will be another tough game [in the second leg]."
Abidal conceded that Barca had struggled to break Madrid down during the opening 45 minutes but that they never lost faith in their ability to turn the game around.
"They pushed hard and had a five-man defense. The system was different but we played our game," he said.
"At the beginning we had difficulties, but we played very well in the second half."
Abidal also expressed his joy at having popped up with what was, for him, a very rare goal to win the match for Barca.
“The cup is important and I am a player for the cup," he pointed out. "I only ever scored in the French Cup and it's the same here too!"
Barca returns to La Liga action this weekend with a fixture against Malaga, while Madrid faces Athletic Bilbao.
But he insisted that the Copa del Rey quarterfinal tie is not over yet after Barca rallied back after falling behind early on following Cristiano Ronaldo's strike in the 11th minute.
With a one-goal advantage and two away goals already in the bag, Barca looks to progress to the last four. The return clash will be played at Camp Nou next Wednesday.
"We have won a big game away from home that we wanted to win,” he is quoted as saying by AS. “But we can’t look back because it will be another tough game [in the second leg]."
Abidal conceded that Barca had struggled to break Madrid down during the opening 45 minutes but that they never lost faith in their ability to turn the game around.
"They pushed hard and had a five-man defense. The system was different but we played our game," he said.
"At the beginning we had difficulties, but we played very well in the second half."
Abidal also expressed his joy at having popped up with what was, for him, a very rare goal to win the match for Barca.
“The cup is important and I am a player for the cup," he pointed out. "I only ever scored in the French Cup and it's the same here too!"
Barca returns to La Liga action this weekend with a fixture against Malaga, while Madrid faces Athletic Bilbao.
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