Why do Iniesta and Busquets play better for La Roja?
Lopetegui's system, overloaded with central midfielders and solid, helps the Barça pair
Sergio is more protected with Koke there to help and Andrés links up well with Isco behind a false 9
It’s simply a matter of style. So easy to say but so hard to carry off. Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta are playing better for Spain than for Barcelona because they are more comfortable in Julen Lopetegui’s system. The pair were stand out players in Spain’s win over Italy at the weekend.
A key aspect is that Lopetegui filled the team with central midfielders on Saturday, which was a bit like the World Club Cup final against Santos in 2011 that Barça won 4-0, with Alves, Busquets, Xavi and Thiago in the midfield, and Cesc and Iniesta on the wings and Messi up front. Guardiola’s team had the ball from the beginning to the end in a comfortable win.
Against Italy, Spain took a huge stride towards qualifying for Russia 2018 thanks to a system where Koke was very close to Busquets in midfield, with Isco and Asensio on the wings and Andrés Iniesta behind David Silva, who played as a false 9. The system disorientated the Italians and allowed the Barça pair to shine.
With Koke acting almost as a shield, Busquets was like the Busquets of old – physical but with a lot of skill. And forward runs. Valverde is trying to get something similar out of him at Barça and used Rakitic alongside him in some games. Against Betis and Chapecoense, he showed there is more to his game than just breaking up play.
But it’s not just about having a midfield partner to help him out defensively. It’s also a question of the team’s style and the trident’s qualities could not hide the fact that they made it difficult for Busquets and Iniesta.
The directness of the trident meant that the midfielders had to put in a huge physical effort – something which did not help Iniesta last season when he was hampered by injury.
Against Italy, Iniesta was in a better position for him – more central and freer. He showed off his range of passing, his vision, his clarity of thought… shutting up those who want to retire him prematurely.
Valverde has to find a way to get the best out of Valverde at Barça, now it’s clear that it’s not the player that’s the problem. He has to give Barça the solidarity and control of the ball that La Roja enjoyed against Spain.
Iniesta and Busquets are vital for Barça. Valverde has to find a way to get them playing for Barça like they’re currently doing for Spain.
