Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas will put his long friendship with Barcelona star Lionel Messi aside as he aims to guide his teammates to a win against the Spanish giants on Wednesday at the Nou Camp.
Since the pair played together from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, the duo have kept a close and tight relationship although Fabregas took the first transfer step in moving out to Arsenal at age 15 before exiting the club for a second time to join the Blues in 2014.
Chelsea are preparing for the most waited game this season, against Barcelona, and the ambition is clear, to redeem themselves after their 1-1 draw game in the first leg of the last 16 tie. Fabregas has admitted that he is ready to stop the Argentina icon from scoring and is well prepared for the game ahead.
He is willing to do the impossible to stop his friend Messi from defeating his team, although they are friends he is going to put that on hold and make sure his friend doesn’t succeed at Nou Camp.
”If I am lucky enough to play, we are positioned in nearby areas of the pitch. Stopping him will be difficult but I will do everything possible so that he feels uncomfortable and can’t put together a perfect performance.
I see him as a rival who wants to win, and I want the same thing. We are in different teams and each player wants what is best for their own club. Obviously, you always have respect for each other. It doesn’t bother me to play against my previous club or old friends, it motivates me. I did it with Arsenal and now with Chelsea, I’ve felt pretty good on both occasions”
Cesc Fabregas, Marca
