It's only half season of Spanish La Liga (19 games played) and F.C. Barcelona have won 17 games with 1 draw against Mallorca and 1 loss against Hércules. Making them the best Winter Champions ever (adding 52 points, out of a possible 57). This including the "manita" (5-0) win over arch rivals, Real Madrid, at the Camp Nou.
They have similar success in the other competitions. Currently in quarterfinals at Copa del Rey against Liga Adelante's (Spain 2nd Division) current leaders, Real Betis. Barca won the first leg, 5-0. In the UEFA Champions League, they are scheduled to play against London legends, Arsenal FC, on the Round of 16 (first leg on Feb 16, 2011).
Individually in Liga, Lionel Messi has 18 goals (second to CR9's 22). David Villa has 14 goals (3rd after its argentine teammate) and canarian clutch striker Pedro has 10 goals. Manchego wonder, Andrés Iniesta, has 6 goals (tied his career high already).
Playmaking-wise, Messi is leading the league with 13 assists. Pedrito has 8, brazilian Dani Alves has 7 and Villa has 5. Star-duo of midfielders, Xavi and Iniesta, have 4 each.
Combining all competitions (League, Champions and Cup), Messi has 31 goals and 16 assists. In Champions, the argentine has 6 goals, tied second with Bayern Munich striker Mario Gómez. The current leader is Inter Milán striker, Samuel Eto'o, with 7 goals.
Culés, David Villa and Pedrito, overall have 16 goals and 7 assists each. Iniesta has 6 goals and 6 assists. Messi has scored 3 hat-tricks (three goals in a single game) this season. Against Sevilla in Supercopa de España, against Almería (final result 8-0) in Liga and against Real Betis in Copa del Rey, this last one was his first of 2011.
Pep Guardiola's team hold a club-record of 28 games unbeaten after their most recent 4-1 win over Málaga. Second-place Real Madrid trails Barcelona by 4 points at the top of La Liga standings (52 against 48). Also, they have won nine times for 4 or more goals( six in Liga, one in Champions and two in Cup).
Blaugrana's have scored in Liga 61 goals and only received 11 goals, a 50 goal differential. 48 of those goals scored by Messi, Villa, Pedro and Iniesta.
Added to their greatness in the field, La Masia alumni Messi, Xavi and Iniesta were the top three nominees for the first ever 2010 FIFA Ballon D'or award. Which merged FIFA World Player and France Football's Ballon D'or in one. An award won by Messi and crowned FC Barcelona's game as a whole. Messi won both awards previously in 2009.
We are definitely looking at one of the best sports team in history. How many more records would be broken when the season ends? Who knows. But definitely, Mes que un Club!
No comments:
Post a Comment