'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABbAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABRIhAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBBEBAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRAAMTUrH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMFRaOCLSbOfskoIVrkC+nrJVpJkYqJHpTXjEDzGMpkHHraLRvE3xIyiHQ9c/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona star Ansu Fati has apologized to his teammate Franck Kessie after he inadvertently prevented the midfielder from scoring in the team's 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
The Blaugrana beat Los Blancos 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their semifinal tie on Thursday (March 2).
Kessie was among those to impress for Barcelona against Carlo Ancelotti's side on the night. Real Madrid defender Eder Militao notably put the ball in the back of his own net after the Ivorian had a shot saved.
The former AC Milan star was also on the verge of doubling the Blaugrana's lead in the second half. In the 71st minute, he appeared to steer the ball into the bottom-left corner with a side-footed shot.
However, Fati failed to move out of the way in time and ended up blocking the shot. Disappointed with the incident, Kessie raised his hands to his head before rebuking the attacker.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Fati was quick to apologize to his Barcelona teammate. The incident did not lead to further problems between the two.
Kessie's anger did not reportedly last long, as he's close with the Spain international. The two have been good friends since the midfielder joined the Blaugrana on a free transfer last summer.
The Cote d'Ivoire international views Fati as his younger brother, as per the report. He has taken the 20-year-old under his wing at the Camp Nou and often gives him advice.
Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other again this month
The Blaugrana will be hopeful of defending their 1-0 lead when they face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. The return leg will be at the Camp Nou on April 5.
Meanwhile, the two sides will lock horns in La Liga later this month. Xavi's side will host Los Blancos at home on March 19. The Blaugrana are atop the standings with 59 points, having won 19 and drawn two of their 23 games. Holders Real Madrid are seven points adrift of the leaders.
It's worth noting that Barcelona beat Carlo Ancelotti's side 3-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup in January. The Cules are well-placed to bag the domestic treble this season.
