How will Barcelona cope without Iniesta?
Monday, October 24, 2016
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With midfield maestro Andrés Iniesta set to miss the next six to eight weeks with knee ligament damage, UEFA.com's Richard Martin runs the rule over Luis Enrique's options.
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There were jubilant scenes for Barcelona at the Mestalla on Saturday as Lionel Messi's added-time penalty sealed a thrilling 3-2 win against Valencia, but the celebrations were quickly tempered by concerns over captain Andrés Iniesta.
Taken off with a knee injury in the first half, the 32-year-old was later ruled out for six to eight weeks with collateral ligament damage, and he is set to miss some major games. With Barcelona already deprived of injured defenders Jordi Alba and Gerard Piqué, they must now make do without their midfield magician for Liga fixtures that include a testing trip to Sevilla and the Clásico at home to Real Madrid on 3 December.
Iniesta will also likely be absent for the rest of the Catalan club's UEFA Champions League group stage programme, but coach Luis Enrique is fortunate to be blessed with plenty of alternatives in midfield while he recovers. UEFA.com assesses the options.
Denis Suárez
The 22-year-old has looked a natural fit at the Camp Nou since returning to the club following year-long spells with Sevilla and Villarreal after a season with Barcelona B. In many ways, he resembles Iniesta in his younger days thanks to his poise and balance. Suárez had an impressive run in the side at the start of the season while Iniesta was nursing a previous knee injury, playing a pivotal role in winning the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla, and he has proved his worth when coming off the bench.
André Gomes
A big-money signing from Valencia in the summer, the Portuguese international will be unsatisfied with his performances so far in a Barcelona shirt but could benefit from a more sustained run in the team while Iniesta is out. The graceful midfielder has all the ingredients to succeed at Barça, and a few more games to adapt to his new club's style could be just what he needs.
Arda Turan
The Turkey midfielder missed the Valencia game with a shoulder injury but should be back in action on Saturday against Granada and will be ready to step into Iniesta's shoes if asked. Turan has enjoyed a new lease of life in the team this season after swapping Atlético Madrid for Barcelona in 2015, albeit in a more advanced role, but his willingness to dig in with defensive duties, as well as his technical ability, make him an asset in midfield too.
Rafinha
A loyal servant to Enrique from his days in Barcelona's B team and during a loan spell at Celta Vigo, Rafinha has reasserted himself in the side after recovering from the knee injury that forced him to miss the majority of last season. Although the Brazilian excels most out wide, scoring twice in a recent 4-0 win against Deportivo La Coruña, he has proved his versatility with impressive displays as a wing back, wide forward and all over midfield, and is a reliable back-up.