28.09.2010 11:10

Goals from all quarters

Sandra Sarmiento

Nine different players have scored the 21 goals scored by the first team in their 8 official matches played to date. Messi, with 7, is the top scorer.

Barça can rely on players to score in all departments, not just the strikers. Midfielders and even defenders have been getting on the scoresheet in Guardiola’s squad.

Messi, Villa and Pedro get 50%

What a trio! Barça can boast the current Balon d’Or, generally believed to be the best footballer on the planet. They also have one of the top scorers from the last World Cup. And Pedro made history last season by scoring in six different official competitions. Messi has scored 7 goals in different competitions this year, the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla; plus League goals against Racing and Atletico Madrid and two more in the Champions Legue against Panathinaikos. David Villa opened his Barça account in Santander, added another in the Champions League versus Panathinaikos and sealed the three points at home to Sporting. Pedro started scoring in the Champions League match. Between them, Messi, Villa and Pedro have scored 11 of their team’s 21 goals.

Midfield

But these players are supported by some quality midfielders. All three goals in Bilbo came from players playing in this part of the pitch, namely Keita, Xavi and Busquets. Iniesta has also been on target this season with a long range effort at the Sardinero.

Alves and Piqué as well

The Brzilian was thrilled to find the back of the net in Barça’s first Champions League outing, getting the equaliser against Panathinaikos. Alves had not scored since a January trip to Valladolid. Piqué is a defender, but also has a striker’s instinct. He scored a typical centre forward’s goal from a corner taken at the Calderón.

19 different scorers

Since the summer of 2008 Guardiola has used 30 players in his first team, and 19 of these have scored at least once. Messi hs the highest tally with 92, followed by Eto’o with 36 goals and Thierry Henry with 30. But there are players like Maxwell, Milito and Abidal (plus new arrivals Adriano and Mascherano) who have never scored for the club.