BARÇA CONCEDED 13 GOALS IN 8 MATCHES
FC Barcelona finished the Champions League group stage with the worst defense of the TOP-8
Published:30/01/2025 - 18:37h
Updated:30/01/2025 - 19:02h
FC Barcelona had a negative point in its great Champions League group stage: the defense. Just like in LaLiga, the team conceded too many goals, 13 in 8 matches (1.6 per game)
FC Barcelona finished the UEFA Champions League group stage as the second-best team in the group, with a total of 19 points from 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. A win on Wednesday against Atalanta (2-2) would have given the Catalans the top spot thanks to Liverpool's loss in Eindhoven against PSV (3-2) and the goal difference (+15 for Barça, while the 'reds' finished at +12). Undoubtedly, the offense was the team's strong point, being the top scorer of the tournament with 28 goals.
However, in defense, the azulgrana team showed several worrying performances ahead of the 'KO' stage. Hansi Flick's side conceded 13 goals in 8 matches, averaging 1.6 goals per game. Too many for a club that aspires to win everything in 2025, but that finished with the most goals conceded in the TOP-8. None of the teams qualified for the round of 16 conceded more goals than Barça.
Barça suffers defensively away from home in Europe
In this sense, the away matches highlighted the defensive problems of a team that attacks mercilessly against its rivals but also leaves itself very exposed at the back due to high pressing. Barcelona conceded at least 2 goals in each away match (2 from Monaco, 2 from Red Star, 2 from Dortmund, and 4 from Benfica), although the team managed to secure 3 wins in 4 outings. At Montjuïc, the balance was much more positive. Only Bayern (1 goal) and Atalanta (2) were able to breach the azulgrana goal at the Catalan fortress.
Behind Barça, with the worst defense of the TOP-8, is Atlético de Madrid, which conceded 12 goals in 8 matches. An anomaly for Diego Simeone's side, which usually bases its game on defensive solidity. Next is Lille, with 10 goals conceded, followed by Bayer Leverkusen (7), Aston Villa (6), and Liverpool (5). Arsenal and Inter Milan did an almost impeccable defensive job, with only 3 and 1 goals conceded in the group stage, respectively.
Barça's record at Montjuïc:
Wins: 3. Draws: 1. Losses: 0. Goals for: 15. Goals against: 3.
Barça's record as visitors:
- Wins: 3. Draws: 0. Losses: 1. Goals for: 14. Goals against: 10.
Goals conceded by the TOP-8 teams in the Champions League
- FC Barcelona, 13
- Atlético de Madrid, 12
- LOSC Lille, 10
- Bayer Leverkusen, 7
- Aston Villa, 6
- Liverpool, 5
- Arsenal, 3
- Inter Milan, 1
