Busquets recognises Iniesta´s burning ambition

Andres Iniesta has extra motivation to bow out on top at his last World Cup, according to long-time Spain and Barcelona colleague Sergio Busquets.

Iniesta unforgettably fired Spain to World Cup glory in 2010 with an extra-time winner against Netherlands in Johannesburg.

The defending champions failed to make it past the group stage at Brazil 2014, meaning one of the greatest players of this generation has one more shot at global glory before beginning the next chapter of his career with J.League club Vissel Kobe – even if he has not entirely ruled out continuing at international level.

Hastily-installed head coach Fernando Hierro has selected Iniesta from the start in both matches so far at Russia 2018 – the blockbusting 3-3 draw against Portugal and a tight, tense 1-0 victory over Iran.

“I think he’s doing really well. This is his last World Cup and I think that makes him more ambitious,” said Busquets ahead of Monday’s concluding Group B fixture against Morocco in Kaliningrad.

“Andres Iniesta will be fully ready whenever the coach decides to line him up because we know his quality and the type of person he is.”

¡Salimos al estadio para entrenar y @andresiniesta8 desata la locura en Kaliningrado! #HagamosQueOcurra #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/WFhuNT9lLi

— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) June 24, 2018

Spain’s instantly recognisable and hypnotic passing style remains in place but the muscular presence of Diego Costa at centre-forward has added an extra dimension to their play – one that the long-serving Busquets welcomes.

Atletico Madrid favourite Costa has three goals from Spain’s two matches in this tournament.

“First of all, no player is alike and no opponent is alike,” Busquets added. “Against Portugal we could play that way but against Iran we couldn’t use those quick transitions.

“What’s good about playing with different players is, staying true to our style, we can apply the style to the different situations.

“The style is really the same but there are a few tweaks that change. This makes us less predictable.”