Barcelona break unbeaten record: 3 things we learned
Barcelona created history with a 2-1 win over Valencia, securing their 39th consecutive game without a loss. Here are three takeaways from the match.
Barcelona did just enough to see off the challenge of Valencia with a 2-1 scoreline meaning they’ve now broken the record for most consecutive La Liga games unbeaten. It wasn’t pretty, but Ernesto Valverde will be pleased with the response of his players after their disappointing exit from the Champions League earlier this week. Here are three things we learned from the game.
A new La Liga unbeaten record
After such a turbulent week, Blaugrana fans have something to smile about following their 2-1 win over Valencia, with the win meaning Barcelona have now gone unbeaten in 39 consecutive league matches, breaking Real Sociedad’s 38-year-old record of 38 matches unbeaten.
Barcelona’s streak is comfortably more impressive than the previous one. The Catalans have won 10 more games and drawn nine less in comparison to Real Sociedad, meaning they they’ve picked up 21 more points than Real Sociedad managed during their streak. With their current gap over the chasing pack, Barcelona will likely win the league title should they maintain this streak, something La Real failed to do during theirs. There’s still a few banana peels in the way of Barcelona going unbeaten the whole season, but with Valverde’s men grinding out wins even when they play poorly, its seems likely that they’ll do enough to finish the season as invincibles.
It’s both an impressive and an entirely unexpected record considering the nightmare summer that the Catalans suffered with the departure of Neymar. However, Valverde has found the best way to get the best out of his starting IX and although it might frustrate Cules, his pragmatism has seen Barcelona see out games at one- or two-goal margins where Barcelona sides of old might have gone looking for more goals.
Coutinho provides stark contrast to Dembele
It was the brilliance of winter signing Philippe Coutinho that led to Luis Suarez’s opener. The Brazilian’s direct pass cut through the Valencia defensive line and found his former Liverpool teammate, who tapped home a near post finish.
After a troubled start with form and injury, Coutinho is beginning to show the Blaugrana faithful what he’s capable of. Featured in a weary XI, Coutinho was a crucial factor in the 2-1 win. His energy, creativity and running provided Barca with the the attacking flair needed to break down a deep-sitting Valencia.
In contrast, fellow newcomer Ousmane Dembele hasn’t been shown the same trust as Coutinho despite arriving six months earlier than his counterpart. This could partly be down to injury, but the French winger has been fit since February and yet has barely featured for Barcelona since returning from injury.
It’s been far from an ideal first season for the youngster and he’ll be eager to prove a point next season.
The minutes continue to pile up
In recent weeks, fatigue has become an increasingly pressing issue for Barcelona with Valverde’s trusted starting lineup beginning to show signs of tiredness during their late comeback against Sevilla and most recently in their Champions League exit to Roma.
Nine of the starting XI who lost that game in Rome featured on Saturday against Valencia. Seven of those outfield players have featured in over 2000 minutes this season. In comparison, their Clasico rivals, Real Madrid, have just two outfield players with over 2000 league minutes, and neither of those players are as far over the mark as Lionel Messi.
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The fatigue was obvious. Despite the scoreline, Valencia had enough chances to win this game, as shown by their xG of 2.24 goals at full time (Barcelona had an xG of 1.95). Part of the reason the away side were so involved in the game was down to mistakes and misplaced passes by the home side, who seemed to sleepwalk to another victory.
Although the lack of Champions League soccer eases the schedule slightly for Barca, there’s still so much to play for that the current fitness of the starting squad is concerning. An away trip to Celta Vigo (a place Barcelona have lost in their last two visits), a cup final and, of course, El Clasico at the Camp Nou all stand in the way of the Catalans and a near-perfect domestic season. With an upcoming World Cup, Valverde really needs to starting considering resting some of his favored starters or risk having a burned out dressing room heading into his second season.