★ Andres Iniesta ★ || Skills – Pass & Goals || 2013 HD
Video Rating: five / 5
Video Rating: five / 5
Online video Score: 5 / five
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Barcelona have been draw against German giants Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the Champions league this season. Midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that it is a thrilling tie and one that he cannot wait to play in. The 28-year-old has said that he expects Bayern Munich to provide a tough competition. Hence, the fans should not be already thinking about an El Clasico in the final of the Champions League this season. Real Madrid will be playing against Borussia Dortmund in the other semi-final. Madrid are the favourites to progress from this tie.
Iniesta has said that it is always nice to be close to a final because it provides the team with an opportunity to win a title. However, they should not be looking too far ahead because Bayern Munich are one of the favourites to win the competition this season. The German club has had a relatively easy passage into the semifinals, but that is partly down to the incredible strength of the team. Many regard Bayern to be the complete team in the Champions League this season.
Iniesta has praised the strength of Bayern by saying that they have strong players across the field, while their bench is also extremely strong as well.
“Man, if I were a fan I would not be so nervous, whilst with the adrenaline it should stop. A final should be exciting, it should be looked at as it is, it is something big to get to play it and there is nothing so nice as to win another title. Today, however, I do not think about that, just of the semi-finals, which will be very difficult. Do we face them with fear? No, unapologetically, full of confidence and trusting that if we do things as we should then we will be in the final, we have our chances,” said Iniesta.
Online video Rating: four / 5
The Spanish club Barcelona face an uphill task in their efforts to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as they have suffered a shock 2-0 defeat in the first leg against the Italian club AC Milan. This has left Milan with the requirement of even a drab 0-0 draw to go through into the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Barcelona have been one of the most successful clubs in this competition over the last few years, as they have lifted the trophy two times. Even though they are currently top of the Spanish league by a massive 13 points, they are on the verge of being knocked out of the European competition. Read more »
Online video Score: four / five
The Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has praised midfielder Andres Iniesta by saying that he is extremely lucky to be playing alongside the Spanish midfielder. Iniesta recently came close to winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or award only to be pipped by his teammate Messi, who won the award for the fourth consecutive season. Iniesta not only had a great season domestically with Barcelona, but he was also extremely influential with the Spanish national team as well. Even though he could not win major titles with Barcelona last season, he managed to win the Euro 2012 with Spain.
This consequently named him as one of the three players shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award. The Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo was the other name on the list. Even though he did not win the award, Messi has praised him by saying that it is a great privilege to be playing alongside him. Messi and Iniesta have known each other since the youth team days. Iniesta is regarded as one of the important cogs of the Barcelona team alongside Xavi and Messi. He has been largely responsible for the 14 trophies lifted by the Barcelona team during the regime of Guardiola.
“Andres does everything well. He’s getting better and better as the years go by – he’s won it all and I’m extremely lucky to play alongside him. I enjoy watching what he does on the pitch, whether in matches or in training sessions – he’s a joy to behold,” said Messi in a recent interview given to Revista Barca. The 28-year-old Iniesta has made 17 appearances for the team this season. Due to the fact that he has been playing out wide, he has been unable to replicate the goalscoring form of previous seasons and has managed just two goals so far this campaign.
Video Ranking: four / 5
The Barcelona striker Lionel Messi recently managed to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the fourth consecutive occasion, while also managing to beat his teammate Andres Iniesta on the way. The Spaniard was more successful than Messi in terms of trophies last season after he managed to win the Euro 2012 with the Spanish national team. However, Messi managed to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award courtesy of his 91 goals in a calendar year. Recently, Iniesta has praised Messi by saying that it is an extreme pleasure to play with him.
Iniesta has praised the attitude of Lionel Messi by saying that he is capable of doing something out of the ordinary yet he is always grounded. He has also recalled how long he has been training with Messi at Barcelona. Messi has been one of the main reasons for Barcelona being hugely successful in recent seasons. Iniesta has said that it is what matters at the end of the day. He has also said that there is nothing called as the perfect player and he believes he can improve even more. Iniesta has been one of the vital cogs of the Barcelona team along with Messi and Xavi over the last few years.
“I’ve played with Leo for a long time and there’re no words to properly describe him. His best attribute is how he’s able to do something out of the ordinary on a daily basis. He also makes the difference in a very natural way and having this sort of player in your team is incredible. We understand each other really well and I hope he can continue doing what he’s doing and bring more success. At the end of the day that’s what really counts,” said Iniesta, who was nominated alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi for the award.