FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.12.2008 16:55

The best attacking trios in the league

David Puig

FC Barcelona and Valencia have some of the best forwards in la Primera to call upon as Barça’s trio of Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi have scored 27 goals between them this term and Valencia’s Villa, Mata and Joaquín have 21 goals.

Only the suspension of Eto’o will prevent all six players lining up in Camp Nou on Saturday in what would be a display of the most attacking stars in La Liga. The 4-3-3 of the Blaugrana and Los Che’s adventurous trio at the front of their formation have meant that between the six of them they have recorded no less than 49 goals in total for their respective sides.

Strength in depth

With 14 goals to his name alone Eto’o will be missed by the Blaugrana for the game, but Valencia will have their top scorer available with Villa looking to add to his tally of 12 for the campaign. FC Barcelona do have other options available within their squad to compensate for the absence of their Cameroonian star though.

Messi and Henry

Messi has scored nine times this term for Pep Guardiola’s side and is the second top scorer for the team in the league this season while Henry has four to his credit already. Behind Villa in the Valencia scoring charts is Mata with six and Joaquín who has three goals this season. Eto’o not being available will give other players a chance to shine.

Behind the strikers

Barça have a better scoring record among their midfielders and defenders this season than Valencia with Unai Emery’s team having Manuel Fernandes on two, while Rubén Baraja and Alexis have just one each. For Barça though, Xavi and Eidur Gudjohnsen have scored three times, Seydou Keita twice and Rafa Márquez and Dani Alves have netted once.