Barcelona go into the Champions League final against Manchester United boasting some astounding statistics on ball retention and pass completion, as Opta reveal.
Considered by many to be the greatest side in recent years, Barcelona have won the plaudits not only through their silverware but also through their unique style of play. Below, Opta highlight some of the tactics used by the Blaugrana that makes their style of play so inimitable.
Possession
Barcelona have averaged 73.4% possession in their league matches this season, where the next highest by a side in La Liga is 57.0% at Valencia, and the next highest in Europe’s top five leagues is Bayern Munich with 61.5%. In the Champions League this average goes up to 74.3%, with Bayern once more in second place on 62.3%.
The last time they had under 50% possession in a Champions League match was against Werder Bremen in December 2006 (43.5%). They have played 51 matches in the competition since then.
Tiki-taka
The blaugrana’s style of play focuses on the constant movement of the ball to retain possession, otherwise known as tiki-taka. This is underlined by the fact that Barcelona have averaged 747 passes per game in the league this season, over 200 more than any side in Europe’s top five leagues (Arsenal have made 530 per game).
The build-up
Barcelona tend not to pass the ball around their own backline too much, but rather around the middle of the pitch. Just 12% of their passes have been in the defensive third this season in the Champions League (the lowest proportion in the competition), while 61% have been in the middle third of the pitch (the highest proportion).
Xavi Hernández
Barcelona’s schemer-in-chief has put in some astounding performances this season, averaging 122 passes per game in the Champions League, 34 more than any non-Barcelona player (Schweinsteiger has made 88). In his most recent appearance (vs Levante in the league), he made 175 passes, his highest tally in a match for which Opta have data (since 2006/07).
Dani Alves
Watching Barcelona it can often feel as though they have an extra player on the pitch, and in a way, with Dani Alves, they almost do. The Brazilian full-back has made 796 touches in the opposition half in the Champions League this season, second only to Lionel Messi and Xavi in this respect, as his attacking instincts often give Barcelona the extra offensive option they need.