Not Lewandowski or Pedri – Stats prove how Barcelona’s dynamic duo dominated Sevilla

In an impressive display, Barcelona showcased their attacking prowess against Sevilla, ending the match with a decisive 5-1 scoreline that highlights their offensive strength. 

However, a closer examination of the statistics reveals an interesting twist: the standout performers of the night were not the forwards but rather the two central defenders, Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi.

To illustrate their contributions, let’s look at the numbers. Martinez completed 107 out of 116 passing attempts, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 92.2%. 

Cubarsi was not far behind, successfully completing 91 of his 94 passes, giving him a remarkable accuracy of 96.8%. 

This performance significantly eclipsed that of Barcelona’s most prominent midfielder, Pedri, who managed to complete only 68 passes throughout the match.

There is much more to it

Pau Cubarsi was excellent against Sevilla. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

While it is common for centre-backs in a possession-based team to dominate passing statistics—especially when short passes are frequently exchanged as opponents fall back—Martinez and Cubarsi’s dominance in this area was striking. 

Their combined total of 218 completed passes far outstripped that of Pedri. Additionally, both defenders excelled in making interventions during the game, with Martinez recording 125 defensive actions and Cubarsi contributing 103.

Their effective communication on the pitch was evident, with Martinez delivering 30 passes to Cubarsi and Cubarsi responding with 22 passes back to Martinez. 

In the final third, Martinez completed 20 passes, which positioned him just behind Pedri’s total of 26. Cubarsi, while less active in this area with only 7 completed passes, still made significant contributions to the attack.

Forward progression

Martinez’s ability to find forwards Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal—14 and 3 times, respectively—highlights his knack for executing vertical passes that break through the opposition lines. 

Inigo Martinez connected well with Barcelona forwards. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Interestingly, Cubarsi also demonstrated his versatility by leading in dribbling attempts with three successful efforts, showcasing his confidence in evading pressuring opponents to create space for his teammates.

Moreover, Cubarsi managed to connect with Robert Lewandowski twice and Raphinha three times through long passes. 

While Martinez and Cubarsi often shared their targets, Cubarsi also played a crucial role in finding Lamine Yamal five times and assisting Ansu Fati once.

In summary, while Barcelona’s forwards may have stolen the limelight with their goals, the contributions of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi were pivotal to the team’s overall performance. 

Their passing accuracy, defensive interventions, and ability to create attacking opportunities solidified their roles as the unsung heroes of this dominant victory.