Barça v Madrid: Did you know…?

Roger Bogunyà

There is plenty of trivia associated to clásico matches between Barça and Madrid, and here we offer you some of the juiciest nuggets.

These are the two giants of La Liga. The Camp Nou brings together thirteen of the World Cup winning side in South Africa, eight from Barça and five from Madrid.

Oddly enough, Barça have been struggling most at home this season, while Madrid’s problem is on the road. All five of the points Barça have dropped this season were lost at the Camp Nou, while Madrid are 100% at home but have dropped four points away.

The goal stats reflect this. Of Barcelona’s 33 goals, only 12 were scored at home. Madrid have also scored 33 times, but only 10 times away from the Bernabéu.

Barça have scored more away goals than any other team this season, and have also scored the most from team plays, individual moves and from outside of the area. Madrid have the most goals at home, from dead balls, from free kicks and from penalties.

Madrid have nine ever-presents in league matches this season in Casillas, Marcelo, Carvalho, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Özil, Di María, Higuaín and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But only four Barça players have played every game, namely Valdés, Alves, Iniesta and Pedro.

The players on either side to have participated in the most actions this season are Xabi Alonso and Alves.

And who supply the most crosses into the area? Well, they’re Di María and Alves again.

Guardiola is coaching his third clásico at the Camp Nou. He is the first non-Dutchman to ever do this after Cruyff (8 clásicos at the Camp Nou), Michels (6), Rijkaard (5) and Van Gaal (4).

Madrid have lost 18 league matches away to Barcelona, and on only one of those occasions did Barça not go on top win the championship (1928/29)