FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.11.2009 16:43

Home grown players give Barca the edge

Sandra Sarmiento

Pep Guardiola has 10 home grown players who are regulars in his line ups, whilst Manuel Pellegrini has half that number, just 5 who've come up through the ranks.

Barca are the team who've shown most faith in their young players and half of Guardiola's squad are home grown players, whilst Madrid have just 5 players in their squad who started their football at the club.

11 players and 6.500 minutes

Valdés, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Pedro, Iniesta, Messi, Bojan, Jeffren and Fontàs have all figured for Guardiola's team this season in the league, with Valdes playing every minute, just ahead of the ever present Xavi. Barca Atletic youngster Andreu Fontàs has played least, but has made his debut this season.

Casillas ever-present

Madrid's five local lads are Casillas, Arbeloa, Granero (these last two signed back from Liverpool and Getafe respectively), Guti and Raúl, though only the Spain keeper has proved himself a regular with Pellegrini. Club capitán Raúl González has started just six times and Arbeola just five games.

13- 6

Of the 28 goals Barca have scored in the league so far, 13 have come from the home grown players: Messi leading the scoring with 7, Pedro's got 3, Pique's scored twice and Bojan has one goal to his name. For Madrid, six of their 26 goals have come from their local players – three from Raul, 2 from Guti and 1 from Granero.