As reported by Madrid based sports paper Marca, Barcelona have the chance to collect their third League title under Guardiola with the fewest goals allowed as champions in history. So far this season, they have conceded 19 goals and could potentially break their own record from last season (24). “The ball is the one who orders the teams,” maintains the Blaugrana coach. His offensive philosophy hides a perhaps more determinant defensive virtue. Both attack and defense are determined by the location of the ball.
The forwards
The Barça game is characterized by the monopoly of possession. The number of men that work to move the ball in the attacking area is important. “They are a team that usually move in spaces close to the area, so it is much easier and economic to attempt recovery where greater numbers of players accumulate,” explains Óscar Cano in his book El Modelo de juego del FC Barcelona.
The numbers show the defensive performances of the forwards. Messi, Pedro, Villa, Xavi and Iniesta have recovered 425 balls so far this season. These five players almost double the figure of recoveries made by Real Madrid’s seven most frequently used attacking players (272 between Di María, C. Ronaldo, Özil, Higuaín, Benzema, Adebayor and Kaká).
The defenders
The experience of this season reflects the paradoxical role of defense in the Barcelona style. Barcelona has hardly suffered from their defensive injuries. Except for Pique and Alves, none of the other five defenders have been able to feature in more than half the league games this season. Puyol has only appeared in 16 matches and Milito in 10; while at left back, there has been a virtual carousel on the left side with the physical troubles of Maxwell, the late adaptation of Adriano and the unexpected loss of Abidal in the final stretch of the season.
The goalkeeper
It seems certain that Víctor Valdés will get the fourth Zamora trophy of his career. Equaling Juan Acuña, legendary goalkeeper of Deportivo in the 40′s, and Santi Cañizares, who won as goalkeeper of Celta and Valencia. Ahead of him is Antoni Ramallets, who alone has reached five.
Compared with goalkeeper Iker Casillas, he may be a little less critical because he is forced to intervene less (161 compared to 119 stops throughout the league). In the overall design of the game of Barça, Valdes is the beginning of the forward line or the last of the defensive part of the team as they move forward to the goal.
The Champions with the fewest allowed goals in history
1. Barcelona 2010-11. 19 goals -at the time of writing-
2. Barcelona 2009-10. 24 goals
3. Barcelona 1984-85. 25 goals
4. Real Madrid 1987-88. 26 goals
5. Valencia 2003-04. 27 goals
Photo: Getty Images
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