The squad led by Xavi won the La Liga, a position that grants direct access to the Champions League Group Phase. With a great season in the league, Barça has a lot of players with top of the class performances in their respective positions. To understand their individual impact to the team, we present the average ratings of the players in a Back 4, the type of defense used for the whole season. In addition, this players must meet the necessary minutes requirement to be considered (minimum 450 minutes played in the season in a type of predefined defense: Back 4 or Back 5).
Barça’s eleven with the most minutes played this season (La Liga).
Star Player:
- R. Lewandowski (CF) – 8.25
With the highest average rating in this squad, Barça’s CF – Lewandowski – was one of the main reasons for the results archived this season. Barça’s dynamics require Roberts’s play to function properly because of his enormous consistency in the final third in addition to the relevent presence in finishing process. The last seasons further emphasise the importance of Lewandowski for the squads where he is present.
Other Key Players:
- F. de Jong (M) – 7.95
- ter Stegen (GK) – 7.85
- Pedri (M&W) – 7.79
- J. Koundé (FB&CB) – 7.67 & 7.64
With several players having above average seasons, we need emphasise the average rating obtained by J. Koundé at two different positions: Centre-Back (CB) – 7.64 and Full-Back (FB) – 7.67;
Additional information regarding the team (La Liga).
With more positive results at home than away (15 Home Wins & 13 Away Wins), it is possible to consider Barça a stronger team at home than away. Besides that, the positive goal difference highlights the ability to score goals (1,84 goals per game) with a great defensive setup (0,53 goals per game).
Barça’s eleven and subs with the most minutes played in the Champions League (Minimum 200 minutes played in this competition).
With another presence in the Group Stage of the Champions League, Barça failed to qualify for the Knockout Stage of the CL, finishing in third place. Not performing well in Europe, Barça were eliminated by Man. United in the first round of the Knockout Stage of the Europa League. In terms of the Champions League performances, only Pedri and Lewandowski had incredible performances during the Group Stage.
Position most in need of strengthening:
- M & CF
With ratings below the 6 mark, Barça’s Midfield (M) and Centre-Foward (CF) alternatives were the biggest weak spots during this season. To be competitive, Barça needs to strengthen their squad depht.
Meaning of the used abbreviations:
- G – Games
- W – Wins
- D – Draws
- L – Loses
- P – Points
- GS – Goals Scored
- GA – Goals Against
- GD – Goal Diference
- HW – Home Wins
- AW – Away Wins
Data from FBref.
