Liga BBVA head-to-head: James Rodríguez versus Dani Parejo

With the final few games of the season just around the corner, the Liga BBVA promises excitement and intensity with three games to go until the end of the campaign. A certain individual duel promises just as excitement, as two of the most in-form players in the league come face to face on the weekend: Real Madrid’s James Rodríguez and Valencia’s Dani Parejo.

The Colombian international has been one of the sensations of the season after announcing himself to the world at the World Cup last summer. James landed in Spain with a star-billing and has not disappointed. He is one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti’s team sheet and Madrid’s most in-form player at the moment and his statistics are hugely impressive. Despite being forced out of action for two months with injury, James has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in just 26 games.

 

Statistic/Player	James Rodríguez	Dani Parejo
Matches played	26	31
Passes completed
Long passes completed	67	121
Short passes completed
Assists	10	4
Goals	12	12
Shots	36	38

 

But Dani Parejo, who is enjoying his best ever season with Valencia CF, has been just as impressive. The midfielder, who arrived at the Mestalla in 2011-12, has found a new lease of life this year under new coach Nuno Espírito Santo, who has shown faith in him since day once. The midfielder has played 31 games this season, 2,659 minutes, and scored 12 goals, an impressive tally for a midfielder.

The two players are vital figureheads for their teams with the ball at their feet, especially in attack and when playing the final pass, one of their assets. The Real Madrid man has provided 10 assists compared to the four of his Valencia counterpart, but both players have an excellent pass completion rate: James completed 1,099 passes, while Parejo has made 1,402 successful passes, more than anyone else in his team.

Therefore, both players go into Saturday’s game between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu in prime condition, and they will be fundamental to the outcome of the game between the second and fourth placed teams.