Neymar is Barcelona's number 1 target for the opposition. Although Leo Messi also comes under fire during games, the Brazilian is on the receiving end of three times as many fouls as his teammate.
The former Santos player has been hit by a total of 23 fouls, while Messi has fallen prey to 7. The Argentine's tally equals that of Iniesta and Pedro, both of whom have played significantly fewer minutes.
Since the start of the season, Barcelona's inner circle have been concerned about the rough treatment of its new star signing during matches, going as far as to request protection from the referees.
Tata Martino himself has assured that he regularly checks in with Neymar to make sure he does not retaliate when on the receiving end of a kick, trip or knock. His instructions are clear: get up, ball on the ground and keep playing. So far, he has managed to do just that.
The closest to the 'Mohicano' say that he was fouled just as frequently in Brazil and that his unique style of play means that the only way they can stop him is with an illegal move.
Of the five games that have been played to date, he has been a substitute in two - first against Levante and then against Rayo Vallecano. In the three matches where he has started, he only played the full 90 minutes in the Mestalla stadium. In the SuperCup, he also played a full game in the Vicente Calderón, but only 17 minutes in the second leg. He also played the full 90 against Ajax.
A year ago Iniesta had the world at his feet, and the trophy for the best European player in his cabinet. Since then, apart from the numbers, it is also clear that the player's importance in the team itself has also lessened. In these first few games of the season, the team is slowly getting to grips with the new-look Barça that Martino is after. Iniesta, however, has not as yet found himself a convincing role to play in it.
Meanwhile, the player is in the middle of having his contract renewed. Barcelona has emitted several optimistic messages saying that an agreement will soon be reached. Iniesta is a key figure at Barça, and the Catalan club is looking to award him with the second highest-paid contract, after (of course) Messi.
The former Santos player has been hit by a total of 23 fouls, while Messi has fallen prey to 7. The Argentine's tally equals that of Iniesta and Pedro, both of whom have played significantly fewer minutes.
Since the start of the season, Barcelona's inner circle have been concerned about the rough treatment of its new star signing during matches, going as far as to request protection from the referees.
Tata Martino himself has assured that he regularly checks in with Neymar to make sure he does not retaliate when on the receiving end of a kick, trip or knock. His instructions are clear: get up, ball on the ground and keep playing. So far, he has managed to do just that.
The closest to the 'Mohicano' say that he was fouled just as frequently in Brazil and that his unique style of play means that the only way they can stop him is with an illegal move.
What's up with Iniesta?
A substitute in two out of the five league games.Andrés Iniesta is having a very odd start to the season. As yet, he's not really got up to cruising speed. Given the importance he has in the team, considered to be Barça's nº1 player after Messi, the Spaniard seems somewhat sluggish.
Of the five games that have been played to date, he has been a substitute in two - first against Levante and then against Rayo Vallecano. In the three matches where he has started, he only played the full 90 minutes in the Mestalla stadium. In the SuperCup, he also played a full game in the Vicente Calderón, but only 17 minutes in the second leg. He also played the full 90 against Ajax.
A year ago Iniesta had the world at his feet, and the trophy for the best European player in his cabinet. Since then, apart from the numbers, it is also clear that the player's importance in the team itself has also lessened. In these first few games of the season, the team is slowly getting to grips with the new-look Barça that Martino is after. Iniesta, however, has not as yet found himself a convincing role to play in it.
Meanwhile, the player is in the middle of having his contract renewed. Barcelona has emitted several optimistic messages saying that an agreement will soon be reached. Iniesta is a key figure at Barça, and the Catalan club is looking to award him with the second highest-paid contract, after (of course) Messi.
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