FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.12.2008 11:33

Assisting where possible

Marc Guillén

Goalscorers may earn most of the headlines and the glory, but behind the majority of goals lies a creator laying on the pass or the cross and for FC Barcelona Xavi Hernández leads the way in that department.

Everyone remembers the player that puts the ball into the net, but not so many will know who gave them that chance yet a great pass can count as half a goal in many instances. The list of assists this season for Barça has a few surprises in it too.

Xavi and Messi

This term Xavi has been more decisive than ever when providing others with a clinical ball to open up defences and has already nine assists to name in all competitions.

Behind Xavi in the list are no more midfielder, but forward Lionel Messi is second as the Agentinian has provided no less than six chances from which goals have been scored.

Alves scoring and assisting

A new face in teh squad, Daniel Alves, is next up as he has scored twice and also provided five assists from the right flank with three coming in the league and another two in the Champions League.

Hleb doing well

One of the more surprising names on the list of assists is that of Aliaksandr Hleb. Despite missing a large number of games through injury, the Belorusian has set up three goals this season even though he had to start most games on the bench. The best example of his effectiveness came when he was put on in th e89th minute against Sevilla and set up Messi for the definitive third goal.

Andrés Iniesta and Thierry also figure on the list having set up three goals.

The players with one assist each to their names are Eidur Gudjohnsen, Bojan Krkic, Sergio Busquets and Touré Yaya.