FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.06.2009 12:52

Barça players do well in South Africa

David Puig

Gerard Piqué played the most minutes in the Confederations Cup while Dani Alves was the only Barça player to score a goal.

The five Barça players who took part in the Confederations Cup were key in their teams though none played in all the matches. Gerard Piqué had most match time while Dani Alves was the only one to score despite playing least.

Piqué cements place

Gerard Piqué spent the most time on the pitch out of the four Barça players called up by Vicente Del Bosque, racking up 360 minutes. Piqué played in four complete games against Iraq and South Africa in the group stages, the semi-final against the US and the third and fourth place play-off against the host team. The Confederations Cup has cemented his place as an international and demonstrates that Barça have one of the world’s best defenders.

Puyol and Xavi next

Carles Puyol is next in the list with 270 minutes against New Zealand and South Africa in the group stages and the semi-final against the US. Xavi Hernàndez, who missed the third and fourth place play-off with an allergy, clocked up 224 minutes against New Zealand, Iraq and the US, starting in each game.

New experience for Busquets

Though he was only on the pitch for 179 minutes, Sergio Busquets has had a great experience in his first competition with the national side. The young midfielder was in the starting XI against South Africa in the group stages and in the third and fourth place play-off. He also came on for Xavi in the 81st minute against Iraq.

Alves only Barça goal scorer

Dani Alves was the only Barça player to score a goal when his strike against South Africa put Brazil in the final. He played in three games, starting only one against Egypt in the first match and remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. After not playing against Italy and the US in the group stages, he then had nine minutes in the semi-final against South Africa and came on for André Santos in the 65th minute of the final against the US.