Iniesta is a master – Valverde purrs over Barca's game-changer

Ernesto Valverde hailed Andres Iniesta's enduring brilliance for helping Barcelona out of a tricky spot against Alaves.

The runaway LaLiga leaders were 18 minutes from a first top-flight defeat of the campaign after John Guidetti gave the struggling visitors a shock first-half lead at Camp Nou.

But goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi turned the game on its head and secured a 2-1 win for Barca, restoring their 11-point advantage at the summit.

An impish dribble and delicate cross from Iniesta made the Uruguayan striker's goal possible and Valverde was keen to pay tribute to the 33-year-old Spain great afterwards

"The truth is that we have good players who play in the interior role, but Iniesta is a master at that," said Barca's coach after guiding his side to a record-equalling 21-game unbeaten start to the top-flight campaign. 

"I thought he could help us from there. It was important not to get too many of us in the Alaves box. It would have provoked counter-attacks.

"For that we needed players who move well in space like Leo and him. It was an extraordinary move and the goal let us breathe."

Alaves saw late penalty appeals against Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti rejected and protested to the officials after full-time, although Valverde was quick to dismiss their complaints. 

"Apart from cutting off his hand, we couldn't do anything," he said, having seen Messi's stunning free-kick seal maximum points six minutes from time. "I think it's involuntary, but each one can see it from their point of view.

"Sometimes the ball goes in and they don't give it, other times this can happen.

"They complained a lot about it. Umtiti told me it was not deliberate.

"There are always controversies – sometimes they hurt you and sometimes they help you."

Philippe Coutinho began brightly on his full Barcelona debut, but was substituted after the hour as Valverde introduced striker Paco Alcacer to chase the game.

"They [players] are not machines who can just go into a new factory and start to work immediately, but I saw him doing well, involved in the play, wanting the ball," said Valverde when asked about the Brazil playmaker's performance.

"It's another step. The other day he played 20 minutes and now a bit more. We will see him go in bit by bit."

Latest in
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Latest in News
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report