The paradox of Barcelona's attack.

Spain possesses top-class strikers, but Barcelona's conversion rate of shots into goals is only 11%, causing them to drop to fourth place in La Liga.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca , Barca have taken 338 shots with 127 on target across 16 La Liga matches and five Champions League games since the start of the season. As a result, they have scored 40 goals, including 30 in La Liga and ten in the Champions League. On average, the reigning La Liga champions need 8.5 shots to score one goal. If only considering shots on target, this efficiency is three shots per goal.

Xavi's team achieved a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 11%. If only shots on target are considered, this rate increases to 31%.

According to Marca , the statistics are very poor considering the quality of Barca's current attacking stars, including Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Joao Felix. These are also the three players leading Barca's goalscoring charts this season. Specifically, Lewandowski has eight goals in La Liga and one in the Champions League, Torres has three goals in La Liga and two in the Champions League, and Felix has two goals in La Liga and three in the Champions League.

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski dribbles past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and defender David Lopez during Barcelona's 2-4 defeat to Girona in La Liga's 16th round at the Olympic Stadium on December 10th. Photo: Reuters

According to Opta , Barca averaged only 1.86 goals per game in La Liga under Xavi – the worst statistic among all coaches who have managed Barca for at least 20 matches since the 2003-2004 season. Above Xavi are Frank Rijkaard (1.95 goals per game), Ronald Koeman (2.08), Ernesto Valverde (2.51), Gerardo Martino (2.63), Pep Guardiola (2.71), Luis Enrique (2.96), and Tito Vilanova (3.14).

Barcelona's attack continued its poor form in their 2-4 home defeat to Girona in La Liga's 16th round last weekend. Xavi's side had the upper hand, controlling 54% of the ball possession and taking 31 shots with 11 on target, but only scored two goals, courtesy of Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan.

Since the start of the season, Barca's only poor finishing was in their 1-0 win against Sevilla at the end of September. In that match, Barca had 18 shots but failed to capitalize, only securing three points thanks to an own goal by central defender Sergio Ramos. This poor finishing was also the reason Barca lost their first El Clasico of the season. They had 15 shots but only scored one goal, and lost 1-2 to Real Madrid at the end of October.

The wasteful finishing of their attack is the reason why Barca haven't won by a large margin in La Liga since their 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis in round 5 on September 16th. That was also Barca's most efficient game, with goals from 17 shots, nine of which were on target.

While their attack has been ineffective, Barca's defense is also no longer as solid as it was when they won La Liga last season . After 16 rounds, Barca have conceded 18 goals. Last season, Barca only conceded 20 goals - the best defensive record in the league, far ahead of the second-placed Atletico with 33 goals conceded.

Cristhian Stuani scored the winning goal in Girona's 4-2 victory over Barcelona in La Liga's 16th round at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on December 10th. Photo: Reuters

After the match against Girona, Xavi admitted that wasteful finishing from the attack and numerous defensive errors were the reasons for Barca's defeat. This result leaves Barca stuck in fourth place in La Liga with 34 points, level with Atletico but having played one more game, and five and seven points behind Real and Girona respectively.

On December 13th, Barca will travel to the home ground of Belgian club Antwerp for the final matchday of Group H in the Champions League. Needing only one point to maintain their top spot, Xavi can then plan his squad in preparation for the away match against Valencia in Round 17 of La Liga on December 16th.

Hong Duy

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