Two Spanish superstars in Al Sadd’s captain Xavi Hernandez and Al Rayyan’s striker Sergio Garcia will clash on Sunday evening in the highly anticipated Qatar Clasico match. The tie will be of particular significance for Garcia who is set to start in his final QSL Qatar Clasico after it was revealed that he was set to leave the club at the end of the season.
Ahead of the crunch match QSL online has decided to profile the two players to see who could have the upper hand in the Sunday evening match. All of our information has been provided by STATS, the official data partner of the QSL.
Both players have been ever present for their respective sides this term with Xavi representing Al Sadd in all 23 games of the season to date, whilst Garcia has turned out for the Lions on 22 occasions. Xavi has played every minute for his side so far this season, clocking up 2,177 minutes of football, again Garcia is just behind playing a total of 1,979 minutes for his side.
In front of goal, and Sergio Garcia has the upper hand scoring on eleven occasions for is side this season. Whilst Xavi has notched nine goals this season, the highest number of goals he has scored in his two seasons with the Wolves. In terms of Yellow Cards Garcia has received five over the course of the season, whilst Xavi has picked up just two warnings in the league.
Unsurprisingly midfield maestro Xavi leads the way over the two players in terms of passing, with the former FC Barcelona man averaging 74.8 passes per game with 88.6% of his passes finding their mark. Garcia lags behind averaging 34.8 passes per game, with 74.3% of his passes reaching their intended target.
Whilst in terms of fitness and total distance covered, the two veterans have posted impressive stats over the course of the season. Xavi leads the way, covering an average of 11.4KM per game, one of the highest averages in the league. Sergio Garcia is just behind registering 9.7KM on average per game. Al Rayyan’s striker Garcia edges out his compatriot with 980m of high intensity sprinting behind Xavi’s 773m of sprinting per game.
Xavi and Sergio Garcia have had superb individual seasons, and both players have to the potential to change the game for their sides. Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will be hoping their Spanish stars can make the difference when they face-off on Sunday evening in the Qatar Clasico.
Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez (right) and Al Rayyan’s Sergio Garcia.
