Andrés Iniesta

[DonAndres]

I never said Tito wasn't more qualified. In fact, I emphasized that in my post. I'm just annoyed at people using the "assistant" label to warrant their view of Roura as an idiot.

Kudos to Mata, definitely. Oustanding player. It must be a bit easier to provide assists when you actually have forwards to pass to, though.

True but the main forward is Torres so not exactly an easy job to provide assists . Yea he's been amazing this season but I'd say Iniesta has been better overall since he's provided a lot more to buildup play. The thing with Mata though is that he's only 24 years old. Honestly I can see him in the top 3 nominees for a ballon d'or someday. He deserves way more NT chances than he's getting right now.

 

[footyfan]

Iniesta nowadays plays amazing when the team is losing but average in the beginning. Hence, he's almost too late to affect the game in a significant way like he can. It's also interesting to see that nowadays whatever he creates is through brilliant individual skill (like a great dribble or chip pass) rather than through any build-up like before.

 

[khorne]

Imo, that can be put down to the fact that iniesta is the sort of player who gets better the more time passes and the more he is involved in the game. as far as i can remember, he his "worst" performances have always been when he when the opponent could isolate and prevent him from getting many contacts with the ball.
I agree with your observation about the way he creates chances nowadays, but in all honesty, this is a trend with the whole team. The individual skill now has to take over for the failling collective play. four, maybe five players who start for barcelona are absolute top of the world, and the rest are no slouches either, so we can still outclass basically everyone who is not a potential champions league winner, but we are no longer head and shoulder above everyone like we were in 09-11.

 

[BXI Fútbol]

The Don throwing subtle hints that he hates being on LW

Haha not so subtle it seems. But yes please Tito/Jordi please end this experiment, especially in big matches. We can still save the CL with the appropriate changes.

 

[evilhita666]

What the hell happened in the second half? He was quite good during the first half (considering our current standards), but he disappeared in the second half...

 

[ammarfcb]

dissapeared in parts of second half but for me still MOTM. for a few games now

 

[evilhita666]

dissapeared in parts of second half but for me still MOTM. for a few games now

You can see him try, which is unvaluable... Some of our players look jaded, and seem to have lowered their arms, yet Iniesta is always there for better or for worse, the signs of a captain...

 

[ammarfcb]

only player who should heart along with puyol ofcourse in these tough times.

 

[footyfan]

He was the player who lost the ball the most (according to the stats). And there was nothing special today from him either. Still much better than when he's on the wing.

This 'showed heart' thing is bull-shit if it doesn't translate to results or improves the team. It's commendable and that's the end of it.

Valdes also 'showed heart' today. And was an idiot to do it. It would be hilarious if for some reason, Pinto fucks up vs Depor and we draw/lose that game.

 

[Youngie]

He was the player who lost the ball the most (according to the stats). And there was nothing special today from him either. Still much better than when he's on the wing.

Not at all. I thought all Iniesta wanted to do was play in midfield? He got his wish and he was poor. But perhaps alongside Xavi or Cesc he'd have been better.

 

[evilhita666]

This 'showed heart' thing is bull-shit if it doesn't translate to results or improves the team. It's commendable and that's the end of it.

Of all our players, wouldn't you cut a little slack to those who didn't shy away, like Iniesta?

Iniesta showed heart on the pitch, where it matters, think didn't go his way unfortunately, but Valdés showed heart in a "different" way, that's why some people think he's an idiot...

 

[footyfan]

How do you know who shied away and who didn't? Iniesta and Thiago are our central midfielders. They're bound to get the most touches in the game. The more touches they get, the more it seems that they didn't shy away.

Also, Madrid applies different kinds of pressure in different zones. On the wings (where Pedro/Villa are), they double or triple up but don't dive in. In the centre, near the half-way line (where Iniesta/Thiago/Busquets are), they drop back but have one person pressure the player on the ball. Once it gets closer to the goal in the centre (where Messi is), they double or triple up AND have one player pressure very hard. You think Messi is shying away?

There is only one person who is shying away and that is Pedro. He's deliberately looking for free-kicks because he doesn't feel he can escape the pressure.

 

[DonAndres]

1st half-good
2nd half-didn't even know he was playing

Not his fault though as the team's doing horribly overall and looks unmotivated

 

[evilhita666]

How do you know who shied away and who didn't? Iniesta and Thiago are our central midfielders. They're bound to get the most touches in the game. The more touches they get, the more it seems that they didn't shy away.

Also, Madrid applies different kinds of pressure in different zones. On the wings (where Pedro/Villa are), they double or triple up but don't dive in. In the centre, near the half-way line (where Iniesta/Thiago/Busquets are), they drop back but have one person pressure the player on the ball. Once it gets closer to the goal in the centre (where Messi is), they double or triple up AND have one player pressure very hard. You think Messi is shying away?

There is only one person who is shying away and that is Pedro. He's deliberately looking for free-kicks because he doesn't feel he can escape the pressure.

I didn't even mention Messi in my post... I think it's very clear when you see a player trying to make things work, like you said, Pedro is not giving that extra oomph and it shows, yet Iniesta is, so that's a good thing...

 

[footyfan]

I wasn't implying that you said anything about Messi, I was honestly asking you whether you think Messi shies away too.