Barcelona's leaky defence now worst among European giants
Flimsy Barça defence shipping goals at alarming rate, with stats showing they've conceded more than any other top-two side across Europe's big five leagues.
Barcelona are hemorrhaging goals at an alarming rate, with Monday’s Girona defeat highlighting defensive frailties that have made them the most porous top team across Europe’s elite leagues.
Worst defence among European contenders
The numbers make for grim reading if you’re a Culé. When comparing the top two teams from each of Europe’s five major leagues, Barcelona emerge with the dubious honor of having the leakiest defence:
- Barcelona: 25 goals conceded in 24 matches (1.04 per game)
- Real Madrid: 19 goals conceded in 24 matches
- Arsenal: 18 goals conceded in 26 matches (0.69 per game) - Premier League’s best
- Manchester City: 24 goals conceded in 26 matches
- Bayern Munich: 19 goals conceded in 22 matches
- Borussia Dortmund: 20 goals conceded in 22 matches
- Inter Milan: Average of 0.84 goals conceded per match
- AC Milan: Average of 0.75 goals conceded per match
- Lens: 17 goals conceded in 22 matches
- PSG: 19 goals conceded in 22 matches
Barça are the only side among these top contenders conceding more than one goal per game on average - proper pants, that.
Clean sheets at a premium
The Catalans have managed just nine clean sheets in their 24 La Liga matches - a measly 37% success rate. They’ve kept opponents scoreless against Mallorca (both fixtures), Oviedo, Espanyol, Villarreal, Osasuna, Athletic Club, Getafe and Valencia.
In every other league fixture, they’ve shipped at least one goal, with Monday’s Girona defeat particularly troubling. If not for goalkeeper Joan García’s heroics at Montilivi, the scoreline could’ve been even more embarrassing.
Comebacks becoming a concern
The Girona defeat marked the second time this season Barcelona have surrendered a lead to lose - though it’s the first instance in domestic competition. The previous occasion came in the Champions League against PSG in October, when Ferran Torres put Barça ahead before Luis Enrique’s side turned things around to win 2-1.
The Girona loss cost Barcelona more than three points - they’ve surrendered top spot to Real Madrid and confirmed they’re in a genuine rough patch with defensive issues at the heart of their problems.