Andres Iniesta 2011/2012

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INIESTA IS THE KEY

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has claimed that Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is one of the key members of the squad at the Euro 2012. Andres Iniesta has enjoyed a lot of success in the last four seasons with both club and country.

He has largely responsible for the success past, but this has not been one of his best seasons for Barcelona, with Cesc Fabregas chosen ahead of him on many occasions. Despite this, Vicente del Bosque has claimed that Iniesta is crucial to the success of Spain at the Euro 2012. Spain will be looking to win their third consecutive major tournament, which has not been achieved before.

No national team has managed to retain the European Championship, but Spain come into the tournament as one of the favourites. A number of the players who were responsible for the remarkable victory in Euro 2008 still remain in the squad. Iniesta has won every major possible title for both club and country, but he still remains hungry to wins more titles according to Vicente del Bosque. The 28-year-old midfielder is possibly at the peak of his career according to the former Real Madrid manager. He will be without the likes of Barcelona striker David Villa and defender Carlos Puyol at the tournament, but thankfully has the likes of Fernando Torres and Llorente at his disposal instead.

“He [Iniesta] is in fine shape and will be decisive in the six matches we hope to play here. He is enjoying his football, and the doubts we had about his fitness two years ago are absent this year. Andres is a player who has never liked the attention that comes with being called a leader, but he is certainly a leader on the field. His way of playing, his way of being makes him that,” said Del Bosque. Iniesta has also said that he is enjoying his football right now and wants to win the Euro 2012.

Xavi and Iniesta – The Máestro and the Hero

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Andres Iniesta 2012 Goles / Goals Skills Assists HD HQ

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INIESTA: WE DESERVED MORE

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that his team deserved more from the Champions League encounter with Chelsea, which saw his team defeated 3-2 on aggregate. Barcelona were coming into the match having lost the first leg 1-0 after a goal from Didier Drogba gave Chelsea an unlikely lead. It was very much expected that Chelsea will be continuing their defensive approach to the game at the Camp Nou as well. It turned out to be exactly the same performance from Chelsea, as they defended with 10 men behind the ball. It took Barcelona only 35 min to open the scoring from an unlikely source – Sergio Busquets.

After the goal, it provoked an angry response from John Terry, who was red carded for his moment of madness on Barcelona player Alexis Sanchez. Andres Iniesta soon doubled Barcelona’s advantage in the match by scoring a goal from a quick counter-attack. This 2-0 lead meant that Barcelona were also ahead in the aggregate. At this moment in time, Barcelona were heading into the Champions League final to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. However, immediately after Iniesta’s goal, Chelsea went to the other hand and scored a delightful goal through Ramires.

This meant that Chelsea were ahead in the tie on the away goals. Fernando Torres then capped a brilliant defensive display by scoring in the injury time to get Chelsea a 3-2 lead. “Football has been unjust in this tie. That’s just the way it is. We once again dominated the match, but little things can be decisive in football. Barcelona will be back, though. We play football because we love what we do, and we do it for those who always support us and suffer as much as we do,” Iniesta said to the Barca TV after the match.

BARCA FIGHT TO THE END

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that the Catalan club will fight until the end when it comes to the league title this season. Barcelona managed to claw the 10 point advantage that Real Madrid had only a few weeks ago to just one point after their latest victory.

Following the win, Andres Iniesta said that he is extremely delighted to have closed the gap and said that he never doubted Barcelona’s ability to keep in touch with the leaders. After Real Madrid managed to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points, it seemed almost impossible for Barcelona to win the title for the fourth consecutive season.

However, they have managed to put together a run of nine victories in the last nine matches, which coupled with the drop in form for Real Madrid has reduced the deficit at the top of the table. Even though Iniesta still maintained that Real Madrid were the leaders at the top of the table, Barcelona were clearly the side with the momentum in the league right now.

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STAYING AT BARCA

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that he wants to spend the rest of his career with Barcelona. The midfielder was named as the recipient of the Barcelona Fair Play Award for the 2010-11 season. Speaking on the occasion of receiving the award, Iniesta said that he would like to spend the rest of his career with Barcelona.

Doing so will give him the recognition towards the commitment he has for Barcelona. Midfielder Xavi and striker Lionel Messi have been linked with moves to other clubs in the past, but Iniesta has been one player who has been able to stay clear of the rumours linking him with other clubs.  His place is currently under threat from Cesc Fabregas, but so far Iniesta has more than held his own.

He said that he wants people to see him as one of the devoted member for the club. He has also said that he is extremely grateful to have played for Barcelona, while at the same time he is overjoyed by the number of trophies he has won during his time at the club. The 27-year-old has been an instrumental part of the Barcelona first team in the last few seasons. He scored the winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while he is regarded to be the next great player in the team aside from Lionel Messi.

“I want people to see me in a few years like they see me now. I want to be remembered as a player who is completely devoted to the club. I am very grateful for everything the club has offered me. Barca and Catalunya have given us everything. I do not want to be remembered for the titles I won, but for my personality. I hope that the moment of his renewal will come. Everybody wants him to stay. There is not much more to say about it,” Iniesta said to reporters after receiving the award.

Andrés Iniesta – 2011 – Last Moments – HD

Video clip Score: 4 / five

INJURED AGAIN

Barcelona have been handed a major dent in their hopes of catching Real Madrid in the title race after star midfielder Andres Iniesta sustained a thigh injury in the match between the two archrivals recently. Real Madrid were taking on Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Clasico recently. Andres Iniesta has just returned to the Barcelona team after a hamstring injury, but he is set to be out for a few weeks after suffering a thigh injury. Andres Iniesta is widely regarded to be one of the best players in the midfield position that he plays. Aside from this creative ability, he is also known for scoring a number of goals.

Hence, Barcelona are expected to struggle in the matches they will be without him. An already thin squad of Barcelona is expected to get much thinner following the injury. The Spanish midfielder has now suffered three major injuries this season already, which will be putting questions about his future. His left leg has been the source of many problems this season and Barcelona will want to make sure that he recovers fully before returning to the first-team action. The 27-year-old Andres Iniesta sustained the injury after a challenge from Real Madrid player Alvaro Arbeloa.

Barcelona are already seven points behind Real Madrid in the title race. Even at this early stage, many are predicting that Barcelona will not be winning their fourth consecutive Spanish league title. The latest injury to Andres Iniesta only adds to the concerns. However, they have now made it into the semifinals of the Spanish cup, while also eliminating Real Madrid in the process. One will be learning the exact nature of the injury and the approximate recovery time only after a few days when the scan results come out.

Andrés Iniesta HD – The Prodigy

Online video Rating: 4 / five