Fabregas makes winning Barca debut
Reuters - Thursday 18 August 2011, 01:59
BARCELONA - Cesc Fabregas made a winning debut as a substitute for Barcelona against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, just three days after completing his move from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old Spanish World Cup winner came on for Pedro in the 82nd minute, just after Real had equalised at 2-2, but Lionel Messi grabbed a late volley to give the European champions a 5-4 aggregate triumph.
"I'm very pleased. It's a great start winning and with such positive sensations," Fabregas told Spanish state television as Barca's players paraded the trophy around the Nou Camp.
Fabregas returned to the club he left in 2003 on Monday after one of the most drawn out transfer sagas in recent years, when he completed a move which could cost Barca up to 39 million euros.
Having only won two trophies in his eight years with Arsenal, the 2004 league title and the 2005 FA Cup, Fabregas has now won his first piece of silverware in a Barca shirt after only three days.
At the end of Wednesday night's game, Fabregas, who had not had much chance to contribute to the action, was hacked down by Marcelo near the two dugouts.
A huge touchline melee between the Barca and Real Madrid squads ended with Marcelo, his Real team mate Mesut Ozil and Barca's David Villa all being sent off.
"Football is very competitive, they are two of the biggest teams in the world, and the rivalry is great," he added with a shrug.
"These are things that always happen in football."