Andres Iniesta played a picture-perfect pass for Lukas Podolski to slam home in Vissel Kobe’s J-League victory over Nagoya.
With Real Madrid back in the picture, the ESPN FC crew assess the chances Barcelona will relinquish their six-point advantage.
Barcelona were held scoreless in Bilbao, but still lead second-place Real Madrid by six points atop the La Liga table.
Andres Iniesta has said he and his family struggled to adapt after swapping Barcelona for Vissel Kobe but they are finally beginning to feel settled in Japan.
Iniesta, 34, left Spain for the Japanese side after last summer’s World Cup and said it has been difficult to get used to the cultural differences between the two countries.
Editors’ Picks
Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.
ESPN+ is America’s home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy’s Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. |
ESPN+ schedule
Welcome to the 2018 FC 100
ESPN FC’s experts ranked the best men’s players and managers in world football. Check out the list.
How Mourinho unravelled at Man United
Fear, paranoia, difficult behaviour and constant battling with club officials and players led to the inevitable, writes Rob Dawson.
The greatest game never played
When Boca Juniors and River Plate were set to meet in Argentina’s most important match, Buenos Aires lost its mind, writes Wright Thompson.
– Follow Transfer Talk LIVE
– Fantasy: Set lineups, check scores!
“I have to confess that the adaption process has not been easy during my first six months in Japan, in sporting and in family terms,” he wrote in Esquire ahead of…
After headlining the papers all week, Ousmane Dembele delivered for Barcelona. Stewart Robson examines how he influenced their draw at Atletico. 
The guys respond to your tweets about the Ballon d’Or, Luka Modric vs. Andres Iniesta and who Gab Marcotti thinks is the ideal No. 9 for Italy.
After Barcelona’s home defeat to Real Betis, the FC crew examine the club’s issues in the back, and Gab Marcotti questions their preparation. 
Andres Iniesta opens up about life in Japan, how Barcelona will fare in 2018/19 and his hopes of returning to La Masia in the future. Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is to have a statue dedicated to him in his home province of Albacete in tribute to his stellar contribution to the Spanish region’s reputation over the years.
Andres Iniesta opens up about life in Japan, how Barcelona will fare in 2018/19 and his hopes of returning to La Masia in the future.
After scoring a fine first goal for new club Vissel Kobe, Andres Iniesta backed that up with another magical strike against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J League. 
After a summer of big signings, including Arturo Vidal and Malcom, the FC crew assess whether Barcelona are early Champions League favourites.