FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.10.2008 11:00

Chances for everybody

Jesús Carrillo

We are six matches into the league season and two into the Champions League and almost of all of Josep Guardiola’s players have been given some kind of chance in both competitions.

Since the start of the season, leaving aside the Champions League qualifier, FC Barcelona have played with very different sides in each of their eight official matches to date. The rotation system used by the coaching staff is showing that all-round this is a very strong squad in depth.

Keeper and defence

The goalkeeper, Víctor Valdés, is the man who has played the most minutes, not having missed a second of the action so far. In defence only Uruguayan Martín Cáceres has not played more than 450 minutes of football, while the man who has appeared the most is Dani Alves, who has also been the most widely used of the new summer signings.

Xavi leads the way

In midfield, Xavi Hernández has been used more than any other player in the squad. He has played 703 official minutes, followed by Malian Seydou Keita.

Iniesta on a high

Up front, we find that Andrés Iniesta has been getting the most action, even though he is perhaps more of an attacking midfielder. Despite the rotation system, it seems Iniesta is going to be an ever-present in Guardiola’s first team picks.