INIESTA’S SECRET IS ALL IN HIS HEAD
SPAIN’S influential midfielder Andres Iniesta says the secret to his top form at Euro 2016 has been his speed of thought. The 32-year-old Barcelona captain has made a smooth transition from an attacking role to central midfield and been instrumental in his country’s two victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey in Group D.
“For a midfielder, the most important thing has been, is and will be to think fast,” he told El Mundo newspaper on Tuesday.
“Certain things occur automatically, but to think fast is the only secret.”
The holders, who, after losing 2-1 to Croatia, face Italy in the Last 16 on Monday night, have greatly benefited from Iniesta’s form over the years and, despite a change of position, the player has thrived.
“Before he had a more attacking role and now he has taken a midfield position which suits him,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. “He has a lot of security and a good physical condition which makes it easier for him to have better co-ordination in what he does.”
Since making his debut with the senior side a decade ago, Iniesta has made 111 appearances. He played in Spain’s title-winning sides at the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, and at the 2010 World Cup.
His finest moment was his extra-time goal against the Netherlands six years ago to hand Spain their first world crown. But the midfielder is keen to stress that he is just part of a team.
“Everyone adds, no player can win a game on his own,” he said.
“I’ve always interpreted football as a collective game and assume my quota of responsibility. Each of us has to be the best in his position to win.
“As time goes by, you receive more praise but I still view myself in the same way. I am nothing without my teammates. We are growing in the tournament. We need to maximise the good things we do and limit mistakes.”
Meanwhile, David de Gea’s failure to keep out Croatia’s 87thminute winner at his near post in the Stade de Bordeaux – and the earlier missed penalty from Sergio Ramos – have been seen as the reasons the holders strayed from their easy passage towards the final and are now in the dark side of the draw for the latter stages.
De Gea has been criticised more for off the field events than things that have happened on it so far, with several candidates in Sunday’s general election in Spain questioning his place in the national team when he has been implicated in an ongoing investigation into an under-age prostitution ring. But after the defeat to Croatia commentators were questioning his performance and there were even murmurs from some Spain journalists about a recall for Iker Casillas against Italy.
“We are not taking the best route to the final but you never know where the danger lies,” was Del Bosque’s take on Spain’s first defeat at a Euros since 2004.
On De Gea, the coach said: “He didn’t have a lot to do and we can’t blame him for the goals.”
Spain must now beat Italy and then potentially Germany and France or England to reach the final and such close encounters mean penalties probably loom large on the horizon for the holders, which does not bode well after Ramos’s miss.
“I was going to take the penalty but Sergio said he wanted it,” said Iniesta. His tone had not been accusatory but Ramos has form for missing important spot-kicks and much like his teammates he is not the designated taker with his club.
Nolito, David Silva, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas will be Spain’’s other spot-kick volunteers but none do the job on a regular basis for their clubs.
David Villa missed Spain’s first ever penalty in 2008 under Del Bosque and in total 13 of the 30 taken with him as manager have been missed.
The good news for Spain is they have twice won on spot-kicks since he has been in charge, beating Portugal at Euro 2012 and Italy in the Confederations Cup a year later.
Faced with the prospect of taking on Italy again, Nolito said: “The dressing room is very down after the defeat and we now have a potentially more difficult game on Monday but we are still Spain and we have to remember that. Italy will have respect for us too. But we know we will have to be at our best. they have a good team and one of the best defences in the tournament but we will be ready.”
Those sentiments were repeated by Iniesta: “That is what football does to you. It looked as though we were getting a draw which would have been enough to top the group and things didn’t work out.
“We are in the supposedly harder half of the draw but we are Spain and we have to keep believing in ourselves. We just went looking for a goal at the end and they caught us on the break.
“It shouldn’t have happened but it did happen. We had the chance with the penalty and a couple of other chances. And if you don’t take those then you can suffer.” – Reuters & The Independent