FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.01.2009 14:36

Statistical leaders too

David Puig

As we go into the second half of the season, Barça have a clear lead over all their rivals. Guardiola’s side is also on top in almost every statistical category.

There is exactly half of the league season to go, and Barça couldn’t wish to be better placed. They are runaway leaders with 50 points, an all-time record at this stage of a Liga season. Whatever way you choose to classify the teams, Barça are almost always the top club. The figures are simply stunning and reflect one of the most amazing seasons FCB has ever enjoyed.

Best attack in La Liga

Barça’s goalscoring stats are superlative. With 59 goals they are 17 clear of second highest scoring club Atlético Madrid. Samuel Eto'o, with 18 goals, leads the way in the individual stakes, three more than Valencia’s David Villa, who has 15.

Barça also shoot more than any other side, having made 376 attempts on goal, followed by Real Madrid, with 334. They also supply the most assists, 31. In this category, Xavi Hernández is the league leader, with a total of 8 assists.

But that is not the only way in which Barça’s attack is head and shoulders above the rest. In terms of corners, the Catalans have taken 139, an average of 7 a game, way ahead of Real Madrid, who have taken 95.

Solid at the back

But a good attack is only effective if it is balanced by good defending, and Barça can have no complaints in that department either. The opposition is going to find it awfully hard to find ways of breaking down Barça’s almost impenetrable defence. At the half-way stage, Barça have only conceded 13 goals, the only challenger being Sevilla, with 16, for after them come Racing Santander, who have leaked 23.

Barça also receive the fewest shots on goal, 115, just six a game, with a shocking gap between them and the second placed club in this department, Valladolid, who have faced 213 goal attempts. And while Barça have been awarded the most corners, they are also the side that has given away the fewest, 59, just three a game.

Barça in possession

Barça have always liked to play the possession game, and there is no team that can compete with them when it comes to holding onto the ball. Guardiola’s side has enjoyed 590 minutes of possession this season, almost one hundred more than Real Madrid, who’ve had 497. They also win the most balls, 1,300, and recover the most too, 1,089. As for passes, yes it’s Barça again, with 9,104 good passes. Xavi, with 1,318, and Alves, with 1,001, are one and two in the championship terms of individual passes.