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Former Barcelona playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme in awe of 'amazing' Andres Iniesta
The 33-year-old Boca Juniors ace believes the Catalans make for mandatory viewing and that Spain's World Cup final hero has redefined what constitutes good midfield play
Jan 20, 2012 6:21:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Former Barcelona playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has admitted that he is in awe of current Camp Nou favourite Andres Iniesta.
The 33-year-old Boca Juniors star also expressed his admiration for a number of Iniesta's teammates, including Lionel Messi and Xavi, but he feels that that Spain's World Cup final hero has effectively redefined what constitutes effective midfield play.
“To do what Iniesta does is amazing,” Riquelme is quoted as saying by SPORT. "Playing well is to play as he plays for Barcelona."
Riquelme, who made just 30 appearances for the Catalans before being loaned and then sold to Villarreal, also believes that the "watching Barcelona is mandatory" for any fan of the game.
Meanwhile, Riquelme's fellow Argentine Martin Demichelis, who will face Barca in the colors of Malaga this weekend, believes that Pep Guardiola's side are currently in a league of their own.
"Barcelona are one of the best teams in history, because they are analysed every weekend by coaches, journalists and players - and nobody finds a way to beat them," he reasoned. "Playing against them is the one game that every player wants to be involved in."
It has been suggested that Barca might be vulnerable after its midweek exploits at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie.
However, Demichelis does not believe that fatigue will be an issue for the world champions, arguing that "the victory at the Bernabeu will have reinvigorated them."
Barcelona, who currently trails Madrid by five points in La Liga, will welcome its great rivals to Camp Nou next Wednesday for the return leg of its Copa del Rey tie.
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The 33-year-old Boca Juniors star also expressed his admiration for a number of Iniesta's teammates, including Lionel Messi and Xavi, but he feels that that Spain's World Cup final hero has effectively redefined what constitutes effective midfield play.
“To do what Iniesta does is amazing,” Riquelme is quoted as saying by SPORT. "Playing well is to play as he plays for Barcelona."
Riquelme, who made just 30 appearances for the Catalans before being loaned and then sold to Villarreal, also believes that the "watching Barcelona is mandatory" for any fan of the game.
Meanwhile, Riquelme's fellow Argentine Martin Demichelis, who will face Barca in the colors of Malaga this weekend, believes that Pep Guardiola's side are currently in a league of their own.
"Barcelona are one of the best teams in history, because they are analysed every weekend by coaches, journalists and players - and nobody finds a way to beat them," he reasoned. "Playing against them is the one game that every player wants to be involved in."
It has been suggested that Barca might be vulnerable after its midweek exploits at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie.
However, Demichelis does not believe that fatigue will be an issue for the world champions, arguing that "the victory at the Bernabeu will have reinvigorated them."
Barcelona, who currently trails Madrid by five points in La Liga, will welcome its great rivals to Camp Nou next Wednesday for the return leg of its Copa del Rey tie.
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
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