15.09.2010 12:12

Spectacular match stats: Barça v Panathinaikos

Roger Bogunyà

A 5-1 win is overwhelming by any standards but a look at the match stats shows that Barça’s victory could have been even greater.

► Barça accumulated1113 actions compared to 333 by Panathinaikos.

► The Barça players had 28 shots compared to just one from Panathinaikos – which went in the net!

► The balance of crosses into the penalty area was pretty similar (27 – 4) as were passes into the area (21 – 1).

► Barça completed 820 passes compared to just 108 by the Greek side.

► Alves scored his first Champions League goal for Barça. It was his second Barça headed goal, the first coming against Malaga (6-0 in the 2008-09 season). The final assist came from Messi against Panathinaikos and from Iniesta against Malaga.

► Carles Puyol played his first competitive match of the season against Panathinaikos. Previously he had managed just a few minutes in the Joan Gamper Trophy game.

► Maxwell missed his first game since 20th January (Sporting, 0-1). Since then he had taken part in 21 consecutive matches. He was injured in the final game of last season against Valladolid (4-0) but returned at the beginning of this season and played the first three matches.

► Abidal is now the only member of the squad to have played all four competitive matches this season.

► Villa enjoyed the best possible start to his first Champions League campaign with Barça. One match, one goal. It was his first goal in the Champions League since 3rd October 2007.

► Mascherano came on towards the end of the match to make his Barça Champions League debut. Adriano was the only new signing to miss out.