Numbers show Barcelona were lucky to walk away with a draw against Newcastle | Barca Universal

"Barcelona once again conceded in the Champions League, meaning the team has still not managed to keep a clean sheet in the competition this season. More concerning was the way Barcelona struggled to control the game with the ball, something that has traditionally been one of the club's strongest qualities."

"The team finished the match with just 403 passes, the lowest total they have recorded in a game this season. To understand how unusual that number is, Barcelona normally average around 700 passes per match, with their highest being 844 passes in a single game."

"Not only were the passes fewer in number, but their accuracy also dropped noticeably. Barcelona completed only 81.14% of their passes during the match, far below their usual standard of close to 90%."

Barcelona drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, a result that appeared positive given injuries to midfielders Marc Bernal and Pedri. However, underlying statistics reveal significant problems. Barcelona recorded only 403 passes, their lowest total this season compared to their usual average of 700 passes. Pass completion accuracy dropped to 81.14%, below their standard 90%. Most passes occurred defensively between defenders rather than in attacking areas. This performance mirrors earlier struggles against Chelsea, indicating Barcelona faces recurring difficulties controlling possession against Premier League sides, a departure from their traditional strengths.

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