5 reasons why Barcelona will win the Champions League
4. Andres Iniesta’s injury return
When Andres Iniesta was forced off with a knee injury during the 3-2 win at Valencia earlier this season, a long-term absence was feared. Iniesta has been the heartbeat of the team since Xavi left, and has maintained the club’s connection to that identity, and without him the team can struggle.
A prime example of this was losing to Manchester City in the group phase of this year’s Champions League. With Pep Guardiola in charge of the English side, they were best placed to exploit the midfielder’s absence and earn a deserved victory.
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It has been a tough season on a personal level for Sergio Busquets, and his job has been made tougher without one of his most trusted allies alongside him. When at his best, Busquets is able to dictate the play from deep by his use of space, but without Iniesta, especially in the City game, he struggled to step up with extra responsibility,.
The diagnosis of Iniesta’s issue meant he would be out for between six and eight weeks, and that means he will be fit at the perfect time for another assault on the Champions League.
Following the competition of the group stage, which despite the defeat in England Barcelona should navigate, the competition takes a break until February, By then, Iniesta will have found his feet again ahead of the latter stages.