Andrés Iniesta

[Deco 20]

I think it's about tactics... Our midfielders simply play further back and are concerned chiefly with controlling the midfield and winning balls, not supporting the attack.

Indeed. And he did quite well defensively. His offensive contribution was good too. He ought to have had an assist for that pass to Suarez.

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

If we keep the new formation Iniesta will not have so much influence on the offense. The new system is designed to allow Leo and Neymar to cut in from the wings. Iniesta will play closer to Busi now, be much more involved in build up and because Alba plays near the touchline and overlaps Neymar, Iniesta will have to stay in central midfield.
On the other side we have Alves who drifts in the centre and helps playmaking so Rakitic can move further up the pitch or on the wing when Leo drifts into the middle.

Conclusion: Iniesta will be less involved in attack than Rakitic from now on, if the players I mentioned above (who are our starters in important games) play.

 

[Empty]

Iniesta still holds the ball very well, I'm fine with him playing more centrally, more of a passer than an advanced midfielder.

 

[DinhoR10]

Funny how we bought both Cesc and Rakitic to "replace" Xavi yet the one who ended up replacing him was Iniesta.

 

[KyletheMuslim]

Funny how we bought both Cesc and Rakitic to "replace" Xavi yet the one who ended up replacing him was Iniesta.

the legacy of

 

[evilhita666]

Great match today, hopefully this gets wind in his sails...

 

[KyletheMuslim]

I saw some of the old Don tonight, great dribbling and close control, a steady improvement !

 

[DinhoR10]

Yeah was great tonight, but everything he did was wasted because of poor play by suarez and alba.

Edit: He also beat Madzukic to a header so he wins the life award

 

[Ini8]

Edit: He also beat Madzukic to a header so he wins the life award

I need a gif of that.

 

[Gohan]

He plays in a more reserved role and becomes more 'invisible'. Rakitic gets the attacking freedom which really pays off ; the trough ball on Suarez which he missed from 5 yards.. and he got 2 assists last Liga game against Depor. On other hand it seems that Iniesta has taken on Xavi's role while still having his presence shown trough dribbles and key passes. Xavi's ability to either dribble forward or to give that killer pass seem to have declined over the last two seasons mostly due his age.

So if Lucho actually did come up with the idea to play Iniesta in this role, we have to give him credit where it is due. Didn't expect it tho.

 

[pacp_96]

Anyone have a gif of the skills he did to get in between the two Atletico players. It was so good.

 

[Siberia]

Great performance!

 

[KingMessi]

This is the Don.

 

[FC B]

It remindend my of the good old days of Don play, ball control and dribbling

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

Typical Don move that no other player would pull off.