That pass was only a small part of his contribution tonight. I would also add, that tonight, Iniesta was as good as he was back in 2009.
Iniesta - Is there another? | Announces retirement
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That pass was only a small part of his contribution tonight. I would also add, that tonight, Iniesta was as good as he was back in 2009.
From the bit I saw it looked like he stepped up again tonight, especially after Atletico scored. No surprises really.
I didn't get to see match as was watching united Bayern but I would well believe it. I thought he was absolutely class in 1st classico too and better than neymar imo. it seems like tata is saving and resting him for big matches.
He was simply immense. Throughout the game. We need a highlights clip from his performance tonight.
Neymar was also sensational tonight, he best performance in a Barca shirt thus far.
Can't think of a better big-game player than Iniesta. Messi loves the big stage, Ronaldo isn't far behind (many will argue), but Iniesta never ever disappoints. What a footballer. He finishes games without sweating.
If you go into the trouble of watching the game from start to finish then you will know what I mean. I am guessing you are a football fan that has been watching Iniesta for years. It was one of his best ever performances.
As for Tata saving him for the big games. Well, that is exactly what I would have done.
Best player on the pitch tonight. He steps up in the big games time and again. How does he do it?
Beautiful ball and as much as he is one of my favourite players ever, it's the run that makes the goal, Neymar's movement was fantastic. Iniesta still has to pick it though.
I wouldn't say that he never fails in big games, but the frequency with which he delivers when it matters is simply unmatched. Have been witnessing his greatness for years now.
Watching Bayern today, I thought they were crying out for a player like Iniesta. For all their brilliance they don't have anyone on his or Messi's level.
His uber-tight control and composure under pressure. That is the key imo.
Indeed. Even Maradona disappeared once or twice on the big stage (literally, just once or twice), it happens to the best of them. I just admire how Iniesta always stands up to be counted every time his team needs something - he won't go on a solo run and score from 30 yards, but he is one of the few players that you can rely on to be on the very, very top of his game when you're playing against a top side. He doesn't ever shirk responsibility as a passenger, or hide. He always saves his best for the biggest occasions. It must be a dream for a manager or a teammate.
Bayern are an uber-efficient football machine, with no easily discernible weaknesses. But do they have someone like Messi or Iniesta? No, they simply do not. Neymar was also a sight to behold tonight.
As a Barca fan I am extremely pleased with the performance tonight, especially from Iniesta, Neymar and Busquets, even though the result was not good at all. But I have to repeat, the performance was very, very good. Play like that in the 2nd leg, and we are probably through.
I have been watching him for years. I think 10/11 as well was a big season for him as well as 08/09 and last year he had a brilliant 1st half to the season, and was good in the second half too. 12/13 I think was the best statistically for him, but stats alone don't really do a player like him justice. Although I obviously couldn't give as much detail about him as a barca fan could.
Seen the highlights and yes, as usual, he is the man who stands out in the big games.
I am extremely pleased with the team's performance tonight and especially with Iniesta's. The result was unlucky.
messi and iniesta have both played some much better passes then that this season. busquets had some passes at the beginning of the season that were just out of this world as well. i just don't find it that impressive when i think of these players capabilties, and i think most people in here are just wanking themselves silly because they like a romantic player like iniesta. it was a really nice pass, i'm just saying he and a host of others on barcelona have executed more difficult or praise worthy passes, so i'm not sure why people are hopping on here calling it the pass of the season. i guarantee if messi made that pass no one would blink an eye. in fact messi in a quiet game for his standards produced this:
more pressure, more space created singlehandedly, though an easier pass, but the vision is incredible as well. Not one mention anywhere? i wonder why.
Definitely currently playing. When you go through recent history too, only really Zidane stands out as a true player who upped it for the big matches.
Well of the other players mentioned, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo. The big difference is those 3 go into the game with all eyes on them. Iniesta goes into the game knowing full well it's all eyes on Messi, that has to release a little bit of pressure.
While I only saw snippets of the game that showed in the match play too. Messi seemed to be faced up with 2 or 3 men where Iniesta was afforded more room, which he seemingly made great use of!
While I only saw snippets of the game that showed in the match play too. Messi seemed to be faced up with 2 or 3 men where Iniesta was afforded more room, which he seemingly made great use of!
That play is fecking out of this universe from Messi.
messi and iniesta have both played some much better passes then that this season. busquets had some passes at the beginning of the season that were just out of this world as well. i just don't find it that impressive when i think of these players capabilties, and i think most people in here are just wanking themselves silly because they like a romantic player like iniesta. it was a really nice pass, i'm just saying he and a host of others on barcelona have executed more difficult or praise worthy passes, so i'm not sure why people are hopping on here calling it the pass of the season. i guarantee if messi made that pass no one would blink an eye. in fact messi in a quiet game for his standards produced this:
more pressure, more space created singlehandedly, though an easier pass, but the vision is incredible as well. Not one mention anywhere? i wonder why.
I am not saying that that pass was the greatest pass ever strictly speaking. It was its significance that made it dramatic. But if you go into the trouble of watching tonight's game, then you will realize why we are all salivating over Iniesta. It was a genuinely majestic performance, one of the best I have ever seen.
Even if we only compare those two passes directly, I don't see how Iniestas has any less "vision" qualities to it.
who said that? not me that's for certain. i don't understand the gist of your comparison either.
Misunderstood your post. Sorry.
Nope, atletico have a strict no space policy. They allow no opposition player space on the ball. Messi just has a tendency to run with the ball a lot which attracts more attention. Iniesta is just on another level when it comes to getting out of pressure situations.
Only positive thing he did all game. He was nothing short of rubbish in that match.
I've seen better passes than that in the PL this season.
I meant currently, but even then, there aren't many on his level even when you go back 50 years. Zidane, like you said, is another. Both amazing players who didn't disappoint when the whole world was watching. Such unique players, too, in their play-style and way of movement with the ball.
You've seen better passes in the BPL this season than an assist that involves taking out 7 players with a perfectly weighed ground pass? Please post a link.
That ones not bad in fairness to Gerrard...I'd say it's up there with the Iniesta one anyway.
Just out of general interest, could you please list 5 big games in which Zidane excelled? And please not the 98 WC final.
Euro 2000 versus Spain and Portugal
WC 2006 versus Brazil and Portugal
CL Final 2002 versus Leverkusen
I have recently re-watched the 2002 CL final and 2006 Brazil quarter-final. Any club games you can refer me to?
I didn't see enough of him to know any more to be honest. Those games stick in my head though.
He was very good against us in both legs of the CL tie in 2002-03 I seem to remember. But then their entire midfield was on a different level so he didn't stand out more than the rest.
He was very good against us in both legs of the CL tie in 2002-03 I seem to remember. But then their entire midfield was on a different level so he didn't stand out more than the rest.
Barca 0-2 Real in the 2001/02 Champions League Semi-Final.
United - Real Madrid in 2002/03 Champions League
Real Madrid 4-1 Valencia, 2002/03 La Liga
United - Real Madrid in 2002/03 Champions League
Real Madrid 4-1 Valencia, 2002/03 La Liga
noted thanks. Didnn't Gerard make a similar pass in his younger days to assist Owen?
There are some being overly dramatic with that pass. Good pass, nothing more. I've seen Silva come up with some ridiculous stuff this season (not all leading to assists of course). Messi probably comes up with a couple of those passes every game.
2 things about that pass:
1. It was the occasion that made it even greater. 0-1 down in a very close game with Atletico defending ferociously.
2. Iniesta's overall performance in the entire game.
The above factors contribute to the praise that Iniesta received for last night's exploits.
I didn't see the match, but does he ever have a poor match against the best opposition? He always seems to step up. Brilliant player, and somehow slightly underrated, imo.
Just wondering before I answer...is this a serious question? I'll list club matches obviously...but is this a serious question?