Iniesta says Barca can honor Cruyff with El Clasico win

By foxsports
Published

Andres Iniesta says the death of Johan Cruyff has given Barcelona additional motivation for Saturday's El Clasico.

The European champions host Real Madrid this weekend in their first match since Cruyff passed away last week.

The Dutch legend died at the age of 68 after a five-month battle with lung cancer and Barca captain Iniesta is determined to honor the club's former player and coach.

"The best homage is what he gave us all, especially Barca fans, but to the whole world of football," Iniesta said.

"For our part, in what is a special match, it is without doubt extra motivation for us to try and win the game."

Over 90,000 fans at the Nou Camp will also take part in a pre-match display reading "Thank you Johan".

As well as winning one league title and a Copa del Rey as a player for Barcelona, Cruyff revolutionized the Catalan giants in an eight-year spell as coach which delivered four La Liga titles and the club's first European Cup.

His commitment to implementing an attacking style of play based on technical ability in Barca's youth academy is also credited with the emergence of players like Lionel Messi and Iniesta, long after Cruyff had left the club.