Iniesta predicts smooth transition

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has played down the impact of Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season.

Guardiola stepped down as Barca coach in June after guiding the club to 14 titles in the space of four years, choosing to take a sabbatical from football.

And although Iniesta acknowledges Guardiola played a leading role in Barca’s successes, he insisted the transition to new coach Tito Vilanova will be seamless.

“With Guardiola, we reached the peak, we will miss him,” Iniesta told Gol Television.

“But we will follow practically the same line with Tito. Considering this, the change will not be dramatic.”

Iniesta also said new arrival Jordi Alba, an off-season signing from Valencia, had a “perfect” Euro 2012 at fullback for champions Spain.