Can Andres Iniesta’s injury affect Spain in World Cup Soccer 2010?
The Spanish mid-fielder Andres Iniesta is in torrents of speculation right now. In the obliteration of Poland with a 6-0 victory, the La Furia playmaker seemed to be having some trouble with his leg and later it was presented by the national team’s doctor that Iniesta has a minor muscle injury.
This isn’t his first time though. During the entire season with Barcelona, the Spanish star limped around with injuries. However, against Poland at Murcia last Tuesday, the star seemed in brilliant form assisting with two goals in just the first 15 minutes.
Eventually, he had to retire in the 39th minute of the match after remembering that he had thigh injuries during the whole season with the Catalans. Experts suggest that it was wise for him to rest after what seemed like immense discomfort to the player. The Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque was on the same page with him and immediately approved of calling him off and of course it would be unnecessary to take risks so close to the tournament.
Later Bosque explained, “The substitution was a precaution,” he also stated that he will not give any officials statements about his state, not until the final reports by doctors are filed in. early reports have suggested that he will be able o continue in the tournament.
Dr Oscar Celada is someone from within the team who believes that Iniesta should be rested for the time being or his injury could extravagate. He also told that the main test will be on the midfielder and currently, the results were awaited.
Dr Oscar Celada explained, “We substituted him because he had some discomfort in the back part of the thigh. He didn't notice any tear and it has not got any worse. It was at the start of the match and as he wasn't comfortable, we made the change … it's a minor muscle injury. We will calmly carry out tests on Wednesday, but we can initially rule out any muscle tear. It's a minor injury, but we have to take precautions”.
Iniesta was among the three Catalan players that spent a dismissal season because of injuries only making their comeback at the very end when Barcelona won the La Liga title and had a successful campaign all around.
He seems a good enough player in the warm-up matches against Saudi Arabia and South Korea. However, it would be wise of Bosque to keep his first line-up ready to attack at hand. Iniesta happens to be among the most significant players on the squad with quite an impression on other teams; often known as a man that can’t be left alone.
There are two other players who are also in the recovery stage form Spain and they both happen to be on the starting line-up. Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres, both were played as substitutes last Tuesday. Both the players proved that they were up and ready when they scored a goal. This also happened to be Torres’ first appearance since his long absence from football which dates back to April. The star was happy with his return and was making good progress after his knee operation.
Later Torres told while taking to the media, “It was almost two months without playing since the Benfica game (his last match before the operation) and I was really keen to come back. They have let me play for a while today and it was great to go out there and score”.
What Bosque will have in mind in their opener will be to save Iniesta and not risk him unnecessarily. He already has a star studded team with Xavi and others at his disposal. They should clear the Group stages at ease without him.
Now that Torres and Fabregas are producing quality football, Spain will be eagerly hoping for Iniesta’s complete return to the game. Overall, the Spanish team looks just about good as they can get. The team is as prepared as they ever will be and have all their stars up and loaded in the squad. The Spanish should outclass every team in the tournament. They will have to start that with their Group H opener against Switzerland on the 16th of June.
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