Busquets Satisfied With Classico Draw

By Max Wise

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets was left satisfied with the draw played out against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

The Spanish defensive midfielder believes it is a fair result for Barcelona and Real Madrid to play out a draw game as the two sides are "the best in Spain and Europe”.

Malcom’s second-half strike cancelled out Lucas Vazquez’s 6th-minute opener for Real Madrid with the tie fairly balanced ahead of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 27, even though the Los Blancos have a slight advantage with their away goal.

The game was in sharp contrast to this season’s earlier encounter where Barcelona mauled their fiercest rivals 5-1 in a Spanish La Liga game that proved to be Julen Lopetegui’s last game in charge of Real Madrid.

"In general terms, the draw is fair. It was an equal game. Everything will be decided in the second leg, Busquets said after the game.

"There were enough chances for anyone to take the game. It's still 50-50, although we play at their home.

"There are no favourites in these games. We're the best two teams in Spain and Europe."

Busquets also hopes goal scorer Malcom, who has endured a frustrating campaign at the Nou Camp since a €42m move from Bordeaux last summer, will finally feature more regularly in Ernesto Valverde’s plans.

"A goal gives you a lot in terms of confidence," said the midfielder. "We hope everyone helps and the coach will decide."

Barcelona, who had their talismanic figure Lionel Messi start from the bench, have won the last four editions of the Copa del Rey.