Fabregas upbeat despite Real fightback
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final was far from the worst result.
By FOX SPORTS staff
The Catalan side looked set to edge closer to the final after taking the lead at the Bernabeu courtesy of Fabregas' 50th-minute strike, but Real defender Raphael Varane equalised seven minutes from time to keep the tie firmly in the balance.
Nonetheless, Fabregas believes the result puts them in a good position for the second leg on February 26, and now wants his side to focus on maintaining their healthy lead at the top of La Liga.
"The result could have been better for us," he told AS. "In a derby, anything can happen.
"We are fine with the result and now we must concentrate on the league.
"We achieved a good result and [I] think we will cope in the home leg."
The ex-Arsenal skipper also admitted the nature of the derby played a part in Barca's slow start to the game.
"As always, derbies are very intense," Fabregas added.
"In the first few minutes we were distant with the ball and did not compete, but after that we held on to it well."
Barca are next in action on Sunday when they visit Valencia.