FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.01.2010 12:47

Ibra’s stats show his worth

Sandra Sarmiento

Barca’s Swedish striker has scored one more goal than at the same stage in the season last year when he was at Inter. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also had 5 assists in the league so far.

“Ibra is playing much better than he thinks, but since he’s so competitive and demands so much from himself, he always wants more”. That’s what Guardiola reckons and the stats seem to support the boss – Ibra’s figures are more than acceptable after the first half the league season.

One more than last season

Ibrahimovic came into his own with Inter in the 2008/09 season and was the league’s leading scorer with 25 goals. He’d chalked up 10 at this stage last season, one less than he boasts this year - 11 goals after playing in 16 of the team’s league matches.

Key strikes

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played a decisive part in the team’s unbeaten league record, with 6 of his goals opening the scoring or proving to be the winning goals – with two of them, against Madrid and Espanyol, having a very special value for the Barca fans.

Great passer

Although he’s been going through a bit of a goal drought of late, Ibra’s contribution to the team, with his passes and support have been vital to the team’s success. Against Getafe, Racing, Zaragoza, Mallorca and Valladolid he’s had important assists, with the lovely pass to set up Pedro’s goal against Mallorca perhaps the pick of the bunch.