Part 1: Stat Attack: Deportivo vs. Barcelona
The Spanish Champions were able to win another Spanish La Liga game after an outstanding exhibition of football.
With the win, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 managed to keep their 100% away win record intact.
The La Blaugrana started the game with a slower pace and could not find the back of the net early on, but later towards the end, it all became a goal fiesta for the visitors.
Following are the statistics that were produced after the game that took place in Riazor:
The Argentinean maestro, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 was not a part of the game against Levante – which was the first Spanish La Liga fixture of the year 2011. The Barcelona number 10 did play in the Cup game against Athletic Bilbao which took place during the midweek,
however, he did not find the back of the net that night.
While playing against Deportivo, the maestro got off the mark and scored his first goal of the New Year. The Argentinean scored during the 51st minute and it was for the first time in eight months that he did not score in two consecutive games.
The Argentinean made sure that he scores against Deportivo and he did. The last time Lionel Messi scored was against Real Sociedad – the 15th game of the Spanish La Liga.
The goal that the Argentinean maestro scored was the first goal by Barcelona that came directly through a free-kick. Lionel Messi is not renowned for his free kick taking abilities but he still managed to curl the ball from 30 yards out to find the back
of the net.
It was for the fourth time that he scored for Barcelona through a spot kick since breaking into the first team. His first free kick was scored against Atletico Madrid, second against Dynamo Kiev and third against Almeria.
The goalkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Victor-c36011 Valdes, and the midfielder, Andres Iniesta, are the only two players that have appeared for Josep Guardiola in each and every Spanish La Liga fixture this season.
Moreover, Victor Valdes currently holds the record of playing each and every minute of the La Primera.
One player that the Catalan Giants cannot miss out on, even though he is underestimated, is http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048.
Josep Guardiola barely leaves his first choice holding midfielder on the bench, however, he did leave him on the bench while playing against Deportivo.
Moreover, Xavi Hernandez was also given a rest. With these two out, Guardiola played the newly signed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071, and gave him the task to win the ball.
The Argentinean impressed the coach with his fabulous tackling and won the ball for the highest number of times – 15.
The Brazilian full back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Alves, was also rested and left on the bench.
It was for the first time that he did not feature in the La Blaugrana’s first team since they last played against Hercules at the Nou Camp. Barcelona lost that game 0-2 even though they were at home and the newly promoted La Liga side totally shocked the
Nou Camp.
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