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| FIRED UP |
Titles are on the line from now on in and, with the 'Clásico' just around the corner, the time has come to review how well Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti have tackled their assignment.
Messi, the only 'One' to have played more than 3,000 minutes
The Asturian coach has used a total of 29 players in 42 matches spanning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The player to have racked up the most minutes on the field is, predictably, Leo Messi, with 3,532. The Argentine has only been rested for two games and a bench-sitter on just one occasion, for the infamous defeat at the Anoeta.
The Asturian coach has used a total of 29 players in 42 matches spanning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The player to have racked up the most minutes on the field is, predictably, Leo Messi, with 3,532. The Argentine has only been rested for two games and a bench-sitter on just one occasion, for the infamous defeat at the Anoeta.
Jordi Alba is the second most regular player (2,867), followed by Neymar (2,677), Dani Alves (2,642), Gerard Piqué (2,640) and Javier Mascherano (2,621). Other 'Azulgranas' to break the 2,000-minute limit are Sergio Busquets (2,455), Ivan Rakitic (2,408), goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (2,340) and Luis Suárez, who has accumulated 2,286 minutes despite having missed the first eight games through suspension. Jérémy Mathieu, on 2,109 minutes, completes the most frequently played XI.
This year it is Andrés Iniesta who comes in as the 12th player in terms of minutes, with 2,034. The amount of accumulated minutes then drops off substantially, with Pedro on 1,762, Xavi on 1,544, Marc Bartra on 1,539, and Marc-André ter Stegen given 1,350. Rafinha also gets over the thousand mark, with 1,269. The members of Luis Enrique's squad to have seen the least action are Adriano (902), Munir (818), Martín Montoya (782) and Sergi Roberto (651). There have also been some marginal run-outs for Sergi Samper (285), Sandro (267), Douglas (235), Gerard Gumbau (90), third-string keeper Masip (90), Adama Traoré (78) and Alen Halilovic (28).
Less rotation at Real Madrid
Ancelotti has rotated far less than Luis Enrique, although that could perhaps be explained by his squad having seen key players injured in recent months. Carlo has lined up 28 different players in 43 games. Toni Kroos has been the most-picked Real Madrid player, heading into the 'Clásico' with 3,436 minutes of pitch time.
Ancelotti has rotated far less than Luis Enrique, although that could perhaps be explained by his squad having seen key players injured in recent months. Carlo has lined up 28 different players in 43 games. Toni Kroos has been the most-picked Real Madrid player, heading into the 'Clásico' with 3,436 minutes of pitch time.
The BBC trio are clearly non-negotiable for the Italian - Cristiano has played 3,324 minutes, Bale 3,301 and Benzema 3,234. No. 1 Iker Casillas (3,150) and Marcelo (3,065) also get over the 3,000 mark. Isco has played 2,872 minutes, with Sergio Ramos on 2,497. The injured James is stuck at 2,401, while Pepe (2,398) and Varane (2,369) are practically on level pegging.
