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Stat Attack: Messi beats Ronaldo in every single competition

Castrol Performance data shows that Lionel Messi has been involved in more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in the top five European leagues this season. Both have surpassed everyone this season in terms of goal involvement. Having scored one more goal than Ronaldo, Messi has also been far more creative with 17 assists, more than twice…

Why Victor Valdes is better than Iker Casillas

In the build-up to this weekend’s Clasico, the stats speak for themselves. Castrol Performance data shows that Victor Valdés has saved 81% of shots he has faced this season in the Spanish top flight, whereas national hero Iker Casillas has only managed to save 73%. Casillas v Valdés – Liga 2010-11 Player Iker Casillas Víctor…

Real Madrid v Barcelona: Comparing Carvalho v Pique

Castrol data shows Ricardo Carvalho surpasses Gerard Piqué in terms of ground duels success; however the Barcelona player has been more clinical in the air. Both defenders share an eye for goal: Carvalho having found the net on three occasions this season in the league, while Piqué has scored twice. The Portuguese has converted 33%…

Real Madrid v Barcelona: Alonso v Xavi stats and the art of playmaking

Castrol EDGE Performance data shows that Xabi Alonso has conceded 38 fouls this season in La Liga, while Xavi has conceded only four. The statistics suggest a deeper role occupied by Xabi Alonso, with fewer shots, chances created, crosses or dribbles, but more tackles, clearances, blocks and interceptions. Xavi is central to Pep Guardiola’s system,…

Tottenham must shackle Ozil to beat Real Madrid

Tottenham must contain the creative threat posed by Mesut Özil if they are to avoid a repeat of their heavy defeat at the Bernabeú.

The German midfielder set up two of Madrid’s four goals at home, including the opener by Emmanuel Adebayor, but also assisted 12 shots in total in the match, the most by a single player in a game in the competition in the last five seasons.

Messi: 47 goals in a season for Barcelona again

The game against Almeria this weekend confirmed Barcelona’s eight point lead over rival Real Madrid before the El Clasico. What was notable in that game was that Lionel Messi scored his 46th and 47th goals for this season. 47 goals in one season in all competitions is a record that was achieved by the Brazilian…

Scoring Stats – The European clubs most reliant on one player

It’s surprising how many teams rely so heavily on one player for scoring.

Scoring Stats – How European Teams Rely On Star Individuals

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored or assisted in nearly half of AC Milan’s goals this year – is this just him, a league-wide (or even continent-wide) trend?

Interview: Adebayor on Tottenham, Real Madrid and the Champions League

On loan from Manchester City, the 26 year old striker Emmanuel Adebayor talks about his time at Real Madrid and how long he wants to stay. How everyone from Arsenal to Madrid is proud of him, his thoughts on the upcoming Real Madrid v Tottenham Champions League match and more. Here’s the interview transcript, followed…

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk: Why the Champions League favourites will end Shakhtar’s fairytale run

2009 European champions Barcelona host Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the quarter-final tie, which promises to be an entertaining two-legged clash.  The Spanish giants are the deserved favourites to win the competition, however they will face stiff competition from the Ukrainian side that have stunned both Arsenal and Roma en route to the quarters.