ANALYTICS. Barça's 'Best XI' have played 4,955 more minutes than last season

One of the keys of the team that won the treble last season is that they reached the end of the season in a very good physical level. Luis Enrique started the championship with many rotations, with good substitutes like Xavi or Pedro. The absence of important injuries also allowed to manage the amount of minutes for each player, so they could reach the end of the season, when titles are won, in good shape.

This season, the situation is much more complex. The calendar was tighter, as they had to play the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups and the Club World Cup. So far, the team have played 37 matches, in comparison to the 32 last season. Furthermore, injuries of Rafinha, Messi or other players plus the absence of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal until January forced Luis Enrique to think about new solutions.

The coach had to make the starters play more than usual, so they have accumulated 4,955 more minutes than last season. From the 'Best XI', only Messi and Alba, who have suffered major injuries, have played less than last season. Bravo have played the same minutes and the other have participated much more. The biggest difference is in Luis Suárez, but take into account that he was sanctioned in the beginning of last season.

Players like Busquets, Mascherano or Rakitic have played more than 600 minutes in regards of last season, so we'll see know how it affects on his performance. Until now, Barça have solved that with an amazing period of 26 matches without losing, but in the last matches the team was irregular and it was hard to find fluency in front of opponents like Espanyol, Malaga, Athletic Club or Atlético Madrid. With their winning spirit, the club have managed to beat all opponents, but the physical fatigue was evident.

Table of 'Best XI' players with the minutes' relation between the current and the previous season

Luis Suárez: +1.505 minutes played (2.910 minutes this season - 1.405 last season)

Busquets: + 670 minutes played (2.641 minutes this season - 1.971 last season)

Mascherano: +606 minutes played (2.626 minutes this season - 2.020 last season)

Rakitic: +718 minutes played (2.565 minutes this season - 1.847 last season) 

Neymar: +585 minutes played (2.423 minutes this season - 1.838 last season) 

Dani Alves: +442 minutes played (2.418 minutes this season - 1.976 last season)

Piqué: +461 minutes played (2.291 minutes this season - 1.830 last season)

Messi: -412 minutes played (2.129 minutes this season - 2.541 last season)

Alba: -104 minutes played (1.968 minutes this season - 2.072 last season)

Iniesta: +484 minutes played (1.943 minutes this season - 1.459 last season)

Bravo: 0 minutes played (1.800 minutes this season - 1.800 last season)