Champions League 2020

 

Gerard Pique's injury on Saturday against Atletico Madrid means Barcelona have precisely one healthy center back heading into Tuesday's match against Dynamo Kiev. So, everybody wish good luck to French defender Clement Lenglet. Even with a mostly healthy, or at least healthier, team, Barcelona still haven't been strong in defense this season. They're conceding 1.13 goals per match in La Liga, which ties them for an exceedingly average 10th in the domestic league. The fancier numbers don't pay a much rosier picture. Ronald Koeman's team is conceding chances worth 1.21 expected goals on average per match, which is only the eighth-best total in the league.
	Barcelona's struggles have yet to catch up with them in the Champions League where they've conceded only two goals in the opening three matches. Only the Premier League trio of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have conceded fewer. But, the underlying numbers tell a different stories. The Catalan side has been extremely mediocre in their opening three games, allowing opponents chances worth 1.51 xG per match, which is only the 17th best in the Champions League. It's less that Barcelona have been a better defensive team in the Champions League than at home in Spain, and more that their opponents haven't punished them for their lapses. All of this may not matter against competition as mediocre as Kiev, but in a season where Barcelona are desperate for silver linings, fans might have hoped their defensive record in the Champions League would provide one. Sadly it doesn't stand up under scrutiny.
	Fixing the keeper problem has also led to Frank Lampard building a much more defensively solid team than he had last season. In the Premier League, Chelsea are now conceding the fifth fewest shots at 10 per match, and the fewest xG per match at 0.86. It's a strong defensive record that suggests that Mendy has done more to shore up the defense than simply save some goals, but rather with a competent net minder, Chelsea's entire defensive structure has improved. The result is a side that might be renowned for all the attacking talent it acquired this summer, but is even more notable for the defensive strides it's taking.