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09.10.2007 14:35
Six great centre back pairings
Roger Bogunyà
Frank Rijkaard has used no fewer than six different tandems in the middle of his defence this season, and despite the changes, the results have always been good.
Due to injuries and suspensions, Frank Rijkaard has not used a settled pairing in the centre of defence this season, with nine official games seeing continual changes in that part of the pitch.
Márquez-Milito, the most used
The most common partnership employed has involved Márquez and Milito, who played against Lyon, Sevilla and Zaragoza, three games in which two goals in total were conceded.
Another combination to get more than one go was that of Milito and Thuram, who started against Osasuna and Levante.
One-time options
Duets between Thuram-Oleguer (Racing), Oleguer-Márquez
(Athletic Club), Thuram-Márquez (Stuttgart) and Milito-Puyol (Atlético Madrid) have all been
employed once only. Barça only let in one goal in all four matches, which all goes to show that it
doesn’t matter who fills the central defender roles in this Barça team, you are always
guaranteed rock solid performances.
Injuries and suspensions
Much of this defensive merry-go-round has been the result of
tactical changes, but others have been forced. Márquez saw red against Bilbao, and Puyol and
Márquez have both spent time out through injury.
Two others following changes
Two other partnerships have arisen as a result of changes made during the course of matches. In
Stuttgart v Barça, Márquez was injured after just 7 minutes and was replaced by Puyol, who teamed
up with Thuram for the first time this season.
Later in the game, Puyol himself went down injured, and gave up his place to Sylvinho. That meant pulling Abidal into the centre to finish the game alongside Thuram.
Later in the game, Puyol himself went down injured, and gave up his place to Sylvinho. That meant pulling Abidal into the centre to finish the game alongside Thuram.
