Barcelona wake up in the second half... the stats behind the fact
The match reports from Barcelona's 2-0 win away at Real Betis are all in agreement. They were all surprised at how casual Barcelona were in the first half, knowing that Real Madrid and Atletico had already won. Barcelona were slow in the first half, and it's been a repeated theme.
The fact that Barcelona are better in second halves has a double 'moral'. One is that the team are capable of taking a step forward when it matters most. It is usually with the same players as Luis Enrique doesn't like making changes.
However, it is also difficult to comprehend the poor performances of the team in first halves in recent games. In Seville, for example, a team that wants to be champions can't just give away 45 minutes and only play the second half. Against Betis they showed their face after Westermann's red card and Adan's bad error - but the sensation replains that Barcelona were playing with fire.
The team touched bottom when they were beaten at home by Valencia. Their credit ran out in La Liga and left them with no more margin of error. Since then, though, three wins from three games with an aggregate score of 16-0. But despite this tally, Barcelona still don't 'feel' right.
Against Deportivo Barcelona's first half display had nothing to do with their second half - two goals and six shots, compared to six goals and 11 shots. Against Sporting, the same. They went in 1-0 up and ended up winning 6-0. Six shots in the first half, 15 in the second. Admittedly, the the opposition eventually put down their arms.
Against Betis the dynamic was repeated - and as Sport reported, Luis Enrique ranted at his players at half-time.
Neymar and Iniesta had shots in the first half, but that was it, and they created pleny more chances in the second. It's evident that Barcelona's posession in the first half tires their rivals and then that bears fruit in the second. The problem is that Barcelona go out onto the pitch without bite, waiting for their moment and thinking that the quality contrast will end up deciding the clash. And that always has a risk.
63 per cent of goals in the second half
Of the 104 Barcelona have scored in La Liga, 39 in the first half and 65 in the second. This is 63 per cent after the break. Between 45m and 60m is the most dangerous time to face Barcelona, as 26 goals came in this period. Four more than between minute 75 and the end of the game - 22. On the other hand, the worst period is the first 15m - they only have 10 of the 104 goals in this time.
Goals against are virtually equal - 13 in the first half and 16 in the second. The moment they let in most ogals in is the final 15 minutes (7), although often these goal are just consolations.
