Iñigo Martinez: a leader unleashed

Defender Iñigo Martinez is many things - a physical centre back, strong in the tackle and dominant in the air, the Basque player is also calm and skilful on the ball and a leader on the field, important for the team with so many talented but inexperienced defenders around him. 

On Tuesday against Young Boys in the Champions League, Martinez scored the third in the 5-0 victory, showing another side to his game - the ability to put the back in the back of the net. The centre back has started nine of 10 matches this season under coach Hansi Flick and in the absence of the injured Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, the Basque has become the de facto leader of the blaugrana back four.  

Despite being a defender, Iñiog Martinez has always had a nose for goal. At previous club Real Sociedad and Athletic Club he scored a total of 26 goals, a figure that is now 27 after his first goal for FC Barcelona and his first ever in the Champions League. 

22 games without defeat in La Liga 

Iñigo Martinez is a key figure in the defence and in his last 22 appearances in the league, Barça are unbeaten. The blaugranes only defeat in La Liga this season came at Osasuna where the Basque defender as rested. The Barça and all time record is held by the great Andrés Iniesta who went 55 games in the league without suffering a defeat.