The Barcelona derby stalemate, by the numbers
Barça had to settle for just a point against Espanyol after a sturdy defence and the post got in their way
FC Barcelona were forced to settle for a goalless draw against RCD Espanyol on Saturday, in the first of three local derbies this month.
The visitors dominated proceedings but a stubborn Espanyol defence, and the woodwork, stood in the way of a Barça win which sees the world champions drop to second place behind Atlético Madrid. Here is a look at the most interesting stats and facts from the match.
Barça hit the post twice, the seventh time in the last two matches and a season total of 15. Messi has hit the post the most times, along with Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas, with five unfortunate strikes.
Twelve passes and nine players were involved in the move that led to Luis SuĂ¡rez hitting the post.
Dani Alves made the most ball recoveries of any player in the match (13).
The Brazilian full-back also made the most passes (81), of which 68 were successful, giving him a pass accuracy rate of 84%.
There were plenty of robust challenges as ever in a local derby, and Barça were on the receiving end of 21 fouls. Busquets was the most fouled (5).
Barça made 596 passes throughout the game, completing 85.1% of them.
The starting lineup against Espanyol had been used on just two previous occasions this season by Luis Enrique; against Valencia and in the Club World Cup final against River Plate.
from News at FCB http://ift.tt/1TxASef
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