Barcelona Defender Gaby Milito Happy To Return To First Team Action Despite Sevilla Defeat

Mixed emotions for the Argentinian after 88 weeks out of football...

Jan 6, 2010 2:07:47 AM

Barcelona defender Gaby Milito says he felt good after returning to first team football in the Blaugrana's 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of their fifth round Copa del Rey tie at Camp Nou.

The 29-year-old Argentinian has not featured in a competitive fixture for Barca since rupturing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during the UEFA Champions League semi final defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2008 and subsequently had to watch from the sidelines as his team produced the greatest season in the club's history last year.

He admitted afterwards that he dreamed of making a return for Barcelona at Camp Nou but said that the defeat spoiled the return. Goals from Alvaro Negredo and Diego Capel either side of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal ensured the Andalusian side go into the second leg in pole position to book a place in the quarter finals.

"The truth is that I feel good. I still lack football, but that will improve with minutes and games," he told AS.

"I had dreamed of this, in our stadium, with our people. Too bad it has been a bit tarnished by the result."