Catalan paper Sport today reported about Andres Iniesta’s return to Barcelona’s starting line-up 126 days after his last first XI appearance, which was at the Champions League final against Manchester United in Rome. Since then, until last night, he was only given a few minutes as a substitute in the last few league matches.
He made a good start from the kick off, by participating a lot in the moves, with initiative and a high commitment. He started the match as a pure left-winger but as the first-half progressed, he moved into his more libero-like role and floated from one side to the other.
In the 13th minute, he could have earned Barcelona a penalty when Dynamo Kiev’s Khacheridi knocked him down within the 18 yard box but it was not given. Yet, twelve minutes later he turned provider by slipping through an assist for Messi, via a deflection, to open the score line. He even had a shot on goal in the 41st minute which went wide.
He was brought off at half-time, which, Guardiola says, was done as a precautionary move. He has shown us last night that he is gradually picking up his match fitness and is starting to show us his usual talent.
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