Why Victor Valdes is better than Iker Casillas

In the build-up to this weekend’s Clasico, the stats speak for themselves. Castrol Performance data shows that Victor Valdés has saved 81% of shots he has faced this season in the Spanish top flight, whereas national hero Iker Casillas has only managed to save 73%.

Casillas v Valdés – Liga 2010-11

Player

Iker Casillas

Víctor Valdés

Team

Real Madrid

Barcelona

Appearances

30 27

Minutes On Pitch

2612 2430

Goals Conceded

22 14

Minutes per Goal Conceded

119 174

Clean Sheets

13 14

Saves

Saves made

62 58

Saves made from inside box

42 37

Saves made from outside box

20 21

Saves to Shots ratio

74% 81%

Penalties faced

2

2

Penalties saved

1

1

Catches

Punches

11 9

Catches

31 9

Dropped Catches

4 0

Crosses not claimed

3 2

Catch Success Rate %

86% 90%

Errors

Errors leading to attempt

1 1

Errors leading to goal

2 0

Kicks

Long Kicking Distribution

199 74

Kicking Success Rate %

62% 62%

Short distribution

164 199

Short distribution accuracy %

97% 99%

General distribution success rate %

78% 89%

Víctor Valdés’ international career with Spain amounts to only three substitute appearances, all in friendly fixtures. However the 29 year-old has displayed better goalkeeping statistics than Iker Casillas, who is currently captain both Real Madrid and World Champions Spain.

Valdés surpasses Casillas in all relevant areas this season in the league: clean sheets, saves-to-shots ratio, catch-success ratio, error-proneness and distribution.

Also See:

Stat Attack: Messi beats Ronaldo in every single competition
Real Madrid v Barcelona: Comparing Carvalho v Pique
Real Madrid v Barcelona: Alonso v Xavi stats and the art of playmaking
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