Inter v Barcelona: passing statistics
Even taking into account the fact that it’s Barcelona we’re dealing with, these passing statistics really are quite incredible.
Only the two players who didn’t complete the game – Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Abidal – break the pattern that every Barcelona player completed more passes than every Inter player.
The graph again shows the incredible influence Xavi has on games, and it’s getting to the point where it would be a huge shock if he played in a game and didn’t complete by far and away the most number of passes.
If the passing graphs against Arsenal showed that you can’t out-pass Barcelona, this one (combined with the result) demonstrates that you don’t need to.
Stats taken from UEFA.com
An asterisk before the name donates the player was substituted.
An asterisk after the name donates the player was a substitute.
Inter v Barcelona: passing statistics
What’s really amazing is that Sneijder had the fewest passes (10!!!) of any outfield starter, and a completion rate of 38% (according to @tomwfootball – http://bit.ly/b0KpRp) – yet he scored, had a massive influence on the game, and has been praised from all sides.
For once, Barcelona were Arsenal.
Sneider’s passing are in the front of the field, have a purpose, and are therefore more adventurous. Barca’s passes are at the back of the field. Statistics should really include only passes made at the opponent’s half of the field!
A lot of Barcelona’s possession was useless possession, particularly in the 2nd half. Inter were happy to let them have the ball and for them to come forward so they could hit balls over the top for Eto’o and Pandev to run onto.
The passing statistics are very similar to Barca vs Arsenal – the crucial difference is that Inter looked in control of the game and gave up posession voluntarily. Arsenal on the other hand were outclassed and didn’t close down the space that Xavi and co. operated in.
What that tells me is that Inter, despite being outpassed, were more efficient in their passing as well as their use of space. Props to the players for executing the gameplan so well.
That is just an incredible set of statistics. There is nothing left to say!
Valdes had more successful passes than any outfield Inter player! Very odd…
Once more proving that possession doesn’t win games, nor does passing quantity. Where, when, why and how passes are made are the biggest factors. A team that only completes 3 passes but scores off all three is much more effective than a team that completes 105 passes and scores one. But that’s an extreme example
So what are you saying that a team that won 6 trophies last season got it wrong. Give me the passes win or lose rather than the anti football Mourihno employs. Like Wenger said Teams have a responsibility to the fans to put on a show. What a way to ruin a spectacle!!
Just have to say this, when the goal keeper of the opposing team is having more successful passes than all of your players, something is wrong here. Did someone double check this? This is not like the old Fabian Bartez where United will pull the defense out with passes between the keeper and the defenders.
Actually, Barcelona uses Valdes basically as another on the pitch player and often pass back to him to open up passing lanes and tire out forwards who are pressuring. He’s one of the best keepers in the world with his feet, better than Casillas, in my opinion.
Inter instead of trying to win the ball of Xavi stayed tight and covered his passing lanes. The same thing Chelsea did last season. It is the way to go in defending against a team like Barça. The defence plays deep, the midfield sits tight in front of them covering the passing lanes to the strikers. There is no need to try and win the ball and possession is conceded as long as the midfield and defence remain in front of the ball. They do have to show a great amount of positional discipline though.
Basically it is parking the bus although it wont be called so because Inter also attacked efficiently and scored 3 goals. Expect them to do the same in the Camp Nou. Of course if they dont attack occassionally they soak up too much pressure and may eventually make a mistake as Chelsea did.
I am amazed to see even Valdes has more passes than any Inter player. Hence proved, possession and passing is not all you need to win a football match.
Hi there. First time commenting.
I’m just wondering.
I’ve not really seen Xavi play much throughout his career.
BUt from the games that I’ve seen him play, esp recently,
Would it be fair to say that its almost impossible for teams to completely mark out Xavi?
Because what i think is that the only way of ’stopping’ him would be forcing him to make more Backward passes (to the defenders) rather than Forward (to the strikers) passes.
Xavi’s a very tricky player to mark – if you get close to him he’ll just twist and turn away from you, much like Iniesta.
The best way to reduce his influence is to close down the space in front of him so he can’t play the ball into the attackers. Play a deep defensive line so he can’t knock balls over the top. Most playmakers depend on teammates being able to move into space, if there’s no space then the playmaker can’t play penetrating passes.
Against Barca man marking isn’t really worthwile since there are multiple threats (with Iniesta out of course it makes man marking slightly more viable). But generally the best way to play against them is shut down the space behind the defence and in front of the centre backs, forcing them to pass the ball harmlessly along the edge of the box. Of course you need excellent defensive organisation, discipline and a good work ethic to do it. One lapse in concentration and they’ll punish you, as Chelsea found out
.
Nice comments. Xavi always says that he is nothing without his team. He is a passer, if he has nobody to pass to, he is nobody.
I just figured out that messi gets subdued in most of the away games, any stats for the dribbles he made last night, because they were few & lost possesion in those attempts.
Hi.
I love these passing charts.
I’ve searched the UEFA website and can’t find the source. Can you send me a link?
Thanks.
If you search CL statistics, you’ll discover also that in every game he played Xavi is not only first in passing, also in distance covered
@Carlton – There is no such thing as “useless possession,” even if there is no progress or even attempt at progress to a goal, it is more effective than absolutely perfect defensive play.
@John – Yes, i agree with John, who saying its useless maybe didn’t played or kick a ball ever themself.
@John – Of course possession is not useless, but in this instance Inter let Barcelona have the ball, safe in the knowledge that Barca would not be able to penetrate through their disciplined defence and that they’d be able to strike on the counter against Barca’s high defence.
Barcelona’s high possession stats were more a reflection of Inter’s tactics than of Barcelona’s dominance (as opposed to the Arsenal game where Barcelona dominated possession and used it to carve out multiple goalscoring chances).
I don’t agree that all of the time possession is more effective than absolutely perfect defensive display. In most cases it is, but in the game on Tuesday, particularly in the last 20 mins I thought Barca would have been better off letting Inter have the ball (thus opening up space behind their defence for them to counter in).
Herbert Chapman once said it’s possible to attack for too long, against a team that sits back you’re better off letting them have the ball so you can draw them out of their shell. Having extended periods of possession play will only encourage them to retreat even more, and will leave you open to swift counters. So yes, sometimes possession is less useful.
What a high-quality discussion. It’s a treat to read such thoughtful, insightful comments. Inspiring. Especially Carlton and Kamikaze. Thanks.
@kamikaze kontiki -
make more of these graphs plz!! they’re great!
this is really a good analysis..
I wish Jose can convince more players and star players to be..with never give-up attitude.