10.12.2008 13:35
Excellent away record in Europe
Vanessa Forns
Having completed the group stages of the Champions League in midweek, FC Barcelona can look back on a start to the campaign that saw them record two away wins out of three away from home.
Apart from the defeat on Tuesday at home against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-3), the good form of Pep
Guardiola’s side saw them win four and draw one to book their place in the next round. Strong
performances both at home and away meant that they went into the game this week having also
clinched top spot.
The overall statistics show Barça recorded four wins, one draw and one defeat and to chalk up
a tally of 13 points, one more than the team that finished in second place, Sporting Club, and four
and 12 more than Shakhtar and Basel respectively.
Goals galore
Although there are still games from the groups E, F, G and
H, it is likely that Barça will finish the opening Champions League stage as top scorers away from
home with 18 goals netted on their travels. Only Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais, with 11 and 12
goals respectively, can have any chance of beating the Blaugrana’s tally.
Keeping possession
Another impressive statistic for Barça is that they have enjoyed the most possession of any
team in the Champions League with 62 per cent. The next nearest to them are Manchester United and
Arsenal with 55 per cent and then Bayern Munich are not far behind having had an average of 54 per
cent, but have played a game less.
Shots at goal
FC Barcelona have had the most shots at goal of any team in the competition this term with
Guardiola’s players registering no less than 54 shots, while Werder Bremen were just behind
with 52.
Youth team
Without doubt, the arrival of Guardiola as coach of Barça
has seen a rise in the number of youth players promoted to the first team for Champions League
matches. In that sense, no less than 12 players that have come through the Barça youth ranks have
appeared in Europe this term. Víctor Vázquez was the latest to make his debut when he played
against Shakhtar on Tuesday. Other Barça Atlètic players, such as Botía, Xavi Torres and Abraham
Sergio Busquets has consolidated his place in the squad with four Champions League
appearances, while Víctor Sánchez and Pedro are not far behind with three games each under their
belts.