By Joel Lamy
20 May 2011 15:32:00
Andres Iniesta – Barcelona (Getty Images)
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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has admitted he is wary of facing Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 28.
The match at Wembley is a repeat of the final two years ago in Rome where goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi secured a 2-0 victory for the Catalans.
But Iniesta feels that both teams have advanced since then, despite United having lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
When asked by his club’s official website whether Barcelona had improved since 2009, he responded: “Yes, because to keep winning we have had to improve, evolve, and I think we’ve done it. We have improved a lot.
“Every game is different, but Barca haven’t changed. We always play our way, holding onto the ball, trying to create chances and minimising their virtues.
“They United are also a better team than they were in 2009 so we’ll see what happens. They don’t play teams in their league that dominate possession so much. It’ll be a good game, Manchester have a great team.
“I think they’re strong. They have changed players and that has distributed the responsibilities more, other players have bigger roles in the team.
“They’re very compact, especially against a difficult team, because they defend well and have fast players on the counter attack, they’re very consistent, they work hard for the whole match.
“When you face Manchester in a Champions League final, you have to be wary of anything.
“I am certainly sure that these two teams are here because we deserve it. There’s no doubt about that.
“We are two teams that like to play football. They have done the same in their league and won it. They have always made finals in recent years. It’ll be a good game.
“We’ll arrive in good form. I’m convinced. It helps to go into the Champions League final in such good shape.
“But the league, with Madrid dropping so few points, did seem very long. We’re a bit saturated by the league.
“So the next few days will be good for getting back to prime condition.”
Iniesta also paid tribute to United veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who continue to play an instrumental role for the club.
He added: “They’re living legends. They have played an infinity of matches, they have broken all the records, titles and moreover they show what true pros they are in every game they play.
“They are veritable examples for us and all young people that want to make it one day. There is so much to be learned from them.”
Iniesta scored a 90th minute winner in the semi-final against Chelsea two years ago and he was the hero in South Africa, scoring the winning goal in extra-time to give Spain their first ever World Cup.
However, he admits he has not thought about scoring in the final, although he feels he is in the best form of his life.
“It’s been my best season to date,” he said.
“Individually and as a team. You gain experience and confidence over the years.
“When you get continuity you feel faster. It gives you maximum confidence and things you tried before but didn’t work out do start working out. It’s nothing just specific, just the moment itself.
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about scoring in the final and I hope the fans don’t either. There have been two precedents, the one at Chelsea and the World Cup final.
“And even if we’re drawing, I hope people don’t expect me to score, that doesn’t happen very much. I only want to win, not to be the protagonist.
“I just want to win the Champions League and come back to Barcelona to celebrate it.”