Barcelona star leading Real Madrid quartet in La Liga-best category | OneFootball

A head-turning statistic, highlighting the importance of a key member of the midfield ranks at Barcelona to the club’s endeavours, has this week been forthcoming online.

The stat centers on İlkay Gündoğan, fresh off another fine showing in Barca’s colours on Monday night.

Afforded a starting berth in the Blaugrana’s La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad, German international Gündoğan shone once more, laying on Lamine Yamal’s opener, amidst a typically classy all-round display.

Across what has proven something of a season to forget all told for Xavi’s troops, the summer arrival in Catalunya’s capital has consistently proven himself one of few shining lights.

And as much is highlighted altogether aptly by a statistic to have surfaced in the aftermath of Barcelona’s latest victory.

As revealed by statisticians Opta:

‘Ilkay Gündogan has been involved in 193 open-play shot-ending sequences in La Liga in 2023/24.’

This is more than any other player in the competition, including a quartet of Real Madrid stars inside the top-six.

Conor Laird | GSFN