Temptation
Well-known member
Higher rating? Rated by whom? This is not a video game?The game that Xavi actually got higher rating
And what about these? Destroy Zidane at his own backyard.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Xavi has assisted in 2 CL finals. Assisted two in Euros final. Assisted in WC semi win v Germany etc.
That is all after being the main man to control the game.
Of course the playrs who play AM will be more likely to score but Xavi controlling game and having those important moments is no less 'winning game on own'
Is it just conicidence that Iniestas ability to win games on own for club or country largely went after Xavi left?
Newspapers post game. And this game was after Xavi just returned from his big injury. Zidane was actually avererage through out the game. He scored when the match was pretty much over. Vieira, Thuram, Ribery were all better this match (Vieira got MOTM award).
You show a game that Zidane's team beat Xavi's team. Then you should know Zidane's madrid finished below Xavi's Barca 3 out of 5 seasons he was there.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Have to always remember Zidane was being pumped full of drugs at Juve..he was like a taller Arthur before that and wheezing after an hour.
Xavi was an athlete.. like a wee marthon runner that never stopped.
Xavi was an athlete.. like a wee marthon runner that never stopped.
2009 final when Barca were dominated from start until Iniesta turned the game around. After that Xavi really put up a master performance.
My point is that Zidane or Iniesta has that "iconic moments" which will be remembered forever. Xavi sure can control and make the team play at higher level than both, but since he doesn't have those "iconic moments" like Zidane or Iniesta, he is viewed somewhat lesser individually.
Iniesta also declined since Xavi left. Still he had that UCL 2014/15 campaign, 2015 Bernabeu... Euro 2016 he was great too but then that Spain team simply were exhausted.
Would say Zidane was like taller Pedri, more attacking mind too. Their movement with the ball are quite similiar imo. Pedri run with the ball is like Zidane's style than Iniesta's.
KingLeo10
Senior Member
Xavi in his prime used to drop 13 KM a game - day in day out.
In today's game, we'd call that a midfield workhorse, except he was also brilliant technically and most importantly, at dictating tempo. No one I've seen before or after knew when to slow down the game or speed it up like him.
In today's game, we'd call that a midfield workhorse, except he was also brilliant technically and most importantly, at dictating tempo. No one I've seen before or after knew when to slow down the game or speed it up like him.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Man Utd started better and not quite just Iniesta turning game round on own when Etoo also beats man and finishes.
Xavi then assists to put game to bed for 3-1 also.
Both had big moments but Xavi was controlling the games to greater degree and has the better stats in those peak years.
The Barca midfield in 14/15 was far far from what it was and Iniesta wasnt having those match winning goals in same way.
Euro 2016 Spain is more evidence of how much likes of Xavi mattered.
Xavi had unparalled workrate, like you always have extra man.
Spain post Euro 2012 were simply exhausted. They won threepeat already. Iniesta still had great performances like Confederation cup 2013 and Euro 2016. But then Spain could not move on from 2008-2012 style, the style that must had Xavi.
You also have the supposed future of Spain like Isco, Thiago... never showed up during that transistion period.
fergus90
Senior Member
Zidane and Xavi are nothing alike as players, both could play in the same team.
Zidane was capable of utter brilliance but he was also quiet at times, Xavi didn’t have the iconic goalscoring moments or aesthetically pleasing skills but was the same player 95% of the time, dictating games.
Zidane was capable of utter brilliance but he was also quiet at times, Xavi didn’t have the iconic goalscoring moments or aesthetically pleasing skills but was the same player 95% of the time, dictating games.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Players dont just suddenly become exaughsted like that from playing a few extra tournament games over 6 years.
I dont think anyone for Spain was great at Euro 2016.. and anyway that was not the point made about Iniesta winning games 'on his own' which wasnt happening with same moments after Xavi went.
Spain wasn't going to do anything after the 3 peat, even with xavi being close to his best, so can't hold that against Iniesta, who played well without him, Spain had just reached its peak.
Iniesta did well without xavi in 2006 CL and in 2015 treble.
Much like a young Xavi was playing well in Barcelona before Iniesta, he wasn't just a passenger in 98/99, obviously wasn't what he now is either.
They are both individually great and together, well history says all it needs to there.
Iniesta did well without xavi in 2006 CL and in 2015 treble.
Much like a young Xavi was playing well in Barcelona before Iniesta, he wasn't just a passenger in 98/99, obviously wasn't what he now is either.
They are both individually great and together, well history says all it needs to there.
JamDav1982
Senior Member
Iniesta was a good player hats not up for debate...but cant argue he had ability to 'win on own' in a way he didnt as much once likes of Xavi gone.
Spain missed Xavi massively.. as did Iniesta and Busi once he left at Barca. Were never the same.
He wasnt winning games on his own or having even nearly same impact in likes of 2006 to point didnt start final which would have been unheard of a few years later.
Spain missed Xavi massively.. as did Iniesta and Busi once he left at Barca. Were never the same.
He wasnt winning games on his own or having even nearly same impact in likes of 2006 to point didnt start final which would have been unheard of a few years later.
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