Fàbregas proud but contrite after Arsenal reverse
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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Cesc Fàbregas said he was proud of his Arsenal FC team after their round of 16 exit at FC Barcelona – and accepted his share of the responsibility for the Camp Nou defeat.
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Cesc Fàbregas cut a crestfallen figure after his return to FC Barcelona ended in a UEFA Champions League defeat for Arsenal FC – yet the Gunners captain was nonetheless "proud of his team" after the 3-1 reverse consigned them to a 4-3 aggregate loss.
The north London club, protecting a 2-1 first-leg lead, resisted a first-half onslaught from Josep Guardiola's side until added time when Lionel Messi stole in to break the deadlock. In an incident-filled match, in which visiting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was replaced by Manuel Almunia in the 19th minute after dislocating a finger, and Robin van Persie received a 56th-minute red card after committing a second bookable offence, ten-man Arsenal eventually succumbed to Xavi Hernández's strike (69) and a Messi penalty (71), rendering Sergio Busquets's own goal (53) academic.
"It's a real pity we've gone out," said midfielder Fàbregas. "We caused them a few scary moments, especially when we scored. But that's football and it wasn't our night. I'm proud of the team, we stood up to them and defended well when we were supposed to."
The 23-year-old's involvement had been in doubt because of a recurring hamstring problem that has plagued him for much of the season, most recently from 23 February. Although Fàbregas, an old boy of Barça's La Masia academy, was ultimately passed fit to face his home-town team at the Camp Nou for the first time, the injury resurfaced early in the game. "Personally, I enjoyed the first 15 minutes but then felt a slight pain in the back of my leg and carried on for as long as I could," he said.
In the event, it proved a particularly frustrating night for the Spanish international. Not only was he substituted after 78 minutes, but he had given away possession outside his own area with a back-heel that preceded the Azulgrana's first goal. Fàbregas readily accepted the blame for his lapse in judgment. "I take full blame for the result tonight," he added. "One of the worst moments of my life. I apologise."
Fàbregas was nonetheless gracious enough to sign off with a good-will message for the Spanish champions. "I wish Barcelona the best of luck in the tournament and hope they get as far as possible."
