Andres Iniesta Can't Find His Footing in Luis Enrique's Barcelona Team

Andres Iniesta has played fairly well in the past few weeks for Barcelona, but won't feel particularly pleased with himself.

This is a player who is accustomed to excellence. He has graced the world's biggest stages and dominated them. So to merely be "good" is a disappointment.

The club have won eight games in a row since they were beaten by David Moyes' Real Sociedad side at Anoeta, and Iniesta has been an important part of that improvement.

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A few weeks ago, when Barcelona's form started to pick up, I wrote on Bleacher Report:

"

Iniesta started the season out of sorts. He didn’t look like he fitted in to the new-look side, which operates better when the ball is shuttled forward to the forwards as quickly as possible.

But in recent games, he’s occupied a slightly deeper role, where he can control the flow of the game and be the man to play in Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

"

That is still true. Iniesta is still playing better than he was at the start of the season, when he appeared totally ineffective. But the problem for Iniesta is that just playing well isn't enough.

Manager Luis Enrique has highlighted the reason for Iniesta's improved performances of late.

As quoted by Goal.com's Alec Fenn, the Asturian coach said: "Iniesta is playing at [his] best position now, more in the centre, not as much from [the] wing as before. I'm very happy with [his] performances."

But if anything, Iniesta's improved form in the centre seems to suggest that there will be no position in Enrique's Barcelona setup where he can truly thrive.

With Barcelona getting the ball from back to front quicker than ever, this bombastic style doesn't sit well with Iniesta's crafty, measured approach.

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There are comparisons to be drawn with Juan Mata, of Manchester United. Both Iniesta and Mata are exceptional footballers, similar in style, with beautiful poise on the ball.

But like Iniesta, Manchester United is now a side dominated by the forwards. There's Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney, with Angel Di Maria another auxiliary attacker.

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Rooney has been pushed further back, off the top, into midfield, taking Mata's spot. The Englishman has the ability to play in a deeper, midfield role and the attributes to succeed there, too.

His strength, power and ability to burst forward are functions which Mata cannot fulfill.

As mentioned on Sunday night after the game, Rafinha Alcantara demonstrated his ability against Villarreal in Barcelona's 3-2 win.

He's a raw talent but one who has a lot of potential to be developed and may turn out to be the better option in midfield.

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Rafinha is certainly not a better player than Iniesta and may never become as good as the Spain and Barcelona star, but he does seem to fit Enrique's system better.

Xavi has already become a bit-part player in the past few weeks, and perhaps Iniesta may taste a bit more time on the bench too.

Ivan Rakitic came on for Rafinha during the win over Villarreal, but playing both of them together in midfield might give Barcelona the right blend of forward momentum and force to supplement the Messi, Neymar and Suarez strike force.

Easing Iniesta out of the team will not be easy for Enrique, and you couldn't blame the coach for not wanting to even attempt it.

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Iniesta will have a key part to play for Barcelona this season; he is too good a player not to utilise. But it would be remiss of Enrique not to explore the idea of a Rakitic-Rafinha combination at some point.

Perhaps he's been scared off the idea by the time he combined them with Sergio Busquets during Barcelona's 1-0 defeat against Celta Vigo.

But that game came at a low ebb for Barcelona, after defeat in the Clasico by Real Madrid, and should not be taken as a reference point.

The other five times both those players have started games, Barcelona have won, scoring 14 goals and only conceding one.

Iniesta is a wonderful player, but whether or not he is the best man for his specific role in this Barcelona team is a matter for debate.