Iniesta: ‘Clasicos got out of hand’

Andres Iniesta has admitted that games between Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years have ‘got out of hand’.

Speaking to the ‘El Partido de las 12’ programme, the Barca midfielder conceded that people now want a better relationship between the clubs, whilst when Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho were at the helm the atmosphere was highly charged.

“The Clasicos were not a good example and what happened over the last few years was not normal. We were all wrong,” acknowledged Iniesta.

“Everyone has their own opinion about it but it’s now in the past and the nice thing is what we have now. The things that went on before were not what people wanted to see.

“We had some very intense moments over the seasons with two great teams fighting for trophies. There were internal and external tensions and everything got out of hand.”

Iniesta reflected on last Sunday’s game between the Spanish giants and also explained about the stray elbow during the game that caught Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

“We are happy with how we played and are delighted to be four points clear. The thing we did was to focus on ourselves and not listen to what they were saying about the opposition.

“As for the elbow, I apologised because I did not do it intentionally. On impact I probably lifted it more than I should have done and it wasn’t right.

“I spoke about it when I was on the pitch and I’m speaking about it now. He [Ramos] knows there was no intention.”

Iniesta was then asked if he felt his best days are behind him but believes his form is still as good as ever.

“I don’t think they are. It’s good that it’s a question and not a statement. If I didn’t think I could perform at the highest level I wouldn’t be where I am now.

“There are always times when things aren’t so good but you’ve just got to carry on. I still enjoy what I’m doing and the important thing to me is winning trophies. I don’t think about anything else.

“I feel good physically but there are things that change within a team or in matches, where your game has different features to what it had before. But it isn’t worse than it was.

“I’m sure there are people that can see I’m doing things correctly. I want to be comfortable with what I’m doing on the pitch and I am.

“However, I always put the team above anything else,” he concluded.

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