Iniesta the man for big occasion

Unlike four years ago, Spain haven’t exactly started this tournament in exhilarating fashion.

For one, they failed to win the first game. Secondly, that created the kind of pressure situation in their next few games that ensured Spain have attempted to be controlling in possession rather than kaleidoscopic.

It’s a feeling though, that’s probably more familiar to Andres Iniesta than anyone else in the squad.

He began the 2010 World Cup, after all, in a similarly underwhelming manner. At the time, Iniesta had endured a long, fractured, injured season with Barcelona as well as, more tragically, the death of one of his best friends in Dani Jarque. Going to South Africa, he wasn’t in optimum state, either physically or mentally.

This summer, Iniesta has also stood apart. But in a very different way.

He has been the one Spanish player performing at an exceptionally high level since the tournament began. Although, like Mesut Ozil, he hasn’t quite demanded attention in the same way as Cristiano Ronaldo or Andrea Pirlo, he has looked the likeliest to convert all of Spain’s possession into something more concrete.

Of course, also like Ozil, the only reason he hasn’t quite caught the eye as much as the Portuguese or Italian stars is because he hasn’t yet scored himself.

There though, he’s been incredibly unlucky. According to Opta, Iniesta has had more shots saved — eight — than any other player at Euro 2012 but has compensated with more lay-offs for oncoming attackers (26) than anyone else too.

Indeed, Iniesta has been centrally involved in Spain’s two most important goals so far. For the strike that secured their quarter-final place, he squared for Jesus Navas. For the Xabi Alonso header that put them into such a commanding position against France, it was his run that released Jordi Alba.

And, if Iniesta’s tournament follows the template of 2010, Portugal should be worried. Because, despite his inauspicious start to that World Cup, his performances escalated in exceptional manner from the quarter-finals on.

By the last-eight game against Paraguay, he was picking the passes that eventually penetrated, setting up David Villa’s goal. By the semi-final against Germany, he was orchestrating every Spanish attack. And, by the final against the Dutch, he was deciding the destination of the trophy itself.

If you also consider the fact that Iniesta scored the goal against Chelsea that propelled the Pep Guardiola Barcelona era into the stratosphere in 2009, then there can be no denying he is the ultimate big-game player.

And, given the history that is at stake for Spain over the next few days, there are arguably none bigger.

Whereas Ronaldo arguably has to sustain his recent scoring form in order to banish his supposedly mediocre big-game record for good, Iniesta has already repeatedly proven his productivity at such a level.

Iniesta, however, isn’t concerned with such colour.

“I have nothing personal against Cristiano,” he said yesterday. “We are going to play a match between two squads with great players and the only thing I’m thinking about is Spain reaching the final and lifting the trophy. My only concern is giving my best.”

For many, of course, Spain’s best isn’t good enough. Many feel that players such as Iniesta should be providing a touch more ingenuity and adventure.

“Football is so great because we don’t all like the same thing,” Iniesta counters. “We’re not all in agreement. For us, our game has brought us to success, to win titles. It’s our style and there isn’t another.’

“It’s clear football is most attractive when the teams go to win. We can’t forget that this style changed the history of Spanish football for good.’’

Given Iniesta’s start to the competition that defined that history, the 2010 World Cup, he knows the value of proper preparation. He dismissed complaints about Portugal’s two extra days’ rest.

“That’s the way the competition is organised. When we finish it, we’ll value the rest. We are close to achieving something unique and that’s above anything else.”

As in 2010, Iniesta and this Spanish team may well rise above everything and everyone else too.