A defence involved in goals

Who said that the defence's only job is to stop goals being scored? The Barça backline is in and amongst the goals this season too. The blaugrana defence is currently one of the most productive this season with 36 goal involvements, 12 goals and 24 assists. In LaLiga, the Catalans are way out in front ahead of Athletic Club (20), Celta (20), Girona (20) and Real Madrid (18). What's more, if we look across the five major European leagues, only Inter's defence has had more contributions (37).

Hansi Flick has put together the ideal pair of unrelenting centre backs in Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez. They are flanked by Kounde to the right and Balde to the left, and players such as Eric, Araujo, Gerard Martín, Héctor Fort and Christensen all form part of an assured defence. However, this Barça team likes to attack, and so does its defence.

Eric, Kounde and Iñigo sniffing out chances

Barça have scored 120 goals this season, and 12 of those have come from defenders. Iñigo, Kounde and Eric have scored most with three each. Araujo and Balde each have one, and so does Cubarsí now after scoring his first goal in a blaugrana jersey in the recent Copa del Rey clash against Atlético Madrid.

Wing raiders

A goal normally comes from a pass, and the blaugrana defence is also showing expertise in this sense. Kounde and Balde have provided the most assists from the defence. The Frenchman and the Catalan are irrepressible down the wings, collectively providing 14 assists – 8 and 6 respectively. In fact, they are in the top 5 for assists in the team, with the blaugrana number 23 tied in third place with Pedri.

The other defenders to provide assists are Iñigo (3), Cubarsí (3), Gerard Martín (2), Araujo (1) and Eric (1).