23.10.2008 13:18
A strong start in Europe
Roger Bogunyà
FC Barcelona have made a superb start to the Champions League group stage this season and have picked up nine points from a possible nine to take a huge stride towards qualifying for the next stage.
The Blaugrana are in great form and that has also been noted in la Primera, where Pep
Guardiola’s team have won their last five consecutive matches. But it is in Europe that the
team has really shone with three wins from their opening three games that has seen them move clear
at the top of Group C.
The only teams with three wins
It may only appear to be three matches on the surface, but
each game in the Champions League is a new test. The best demonstration of just how tough it is
record such a run is that Barçá are the only one of the 32 teams in the competition to have won all
three of their opening group games.
Goals galore
It can also be said that all three wins have been deserved after strong performances and,
above all, creating plenty of chances. The team has scored ten goals in their trio of games, which
gives them an average of 3.3 goals-per-game. Only Arsenal have an equal record. Another important
factor is that eight of the ten goals have been scored by
homegrown players
.
Leaders in possession
Barça are not only out in front in terms of goals though.
Also they are the only team in the competition to have had more than 60 per cent possession (62 per
cent exactly). Real Madrid are second with 58 per cent. The Blaugrana are second in number of
chances created with 24, behind Villarreal who have 27, and also in free-kicks won with 58, with
Bayern Munich above them on 68.
The first time since 2002/03
FC Barcelona have not won all three of their opening Champions League group games since 2002-03,
when Louis van Gaal was in charge of the team. One that occasion Barça went on to win all six as
well as the three in the mini-league that followed, to add to the two in the qualifying round,
totalling eleven consecutive wins.