22.01.2011 22:13

Rijkaard’s record equalled

Sandra Sarmiento

The win over Racing meant Guardiola’s Barça team equalled Frank Rijkaard’s run of 14 straight La Liga victories set in the 2005/06 season.

This Barça is now in the history books, not just for their great performances, but also for their astonishing run of 14 straight wins – just one more record in a season of records. Last week’s victory over Malaga meant the team beat the Club record of 27 games without a win in all competitions set in the 73/74 season and this weekend’s win over Racing meant the team equalled the run established by Frank Rijkaard’s double winning team of 2005/06. Next week’s trip to Hercules could see that record overtaken – and who knows where it might stop!

Valencia game proved to be turning point

Barça had an early season defeat against Hercules and were also held by Mallorca, but the visit of Valencia in October marked a change in fortunes as the team lifted their game, putting in an especially fine second half performance. After that win, players like Valdes stressed that “this could be a turning point for us” and that’s what it turned out to be, as the team have gone on to win every single league game since then.

Away wins

Barça have indeed won all their away games so far this season and the run has included six away wins, with tough trips to Zaragoza, Pamplona, Getafe or Cornella, with 25 goals scored and only 2 conceded. The win against Espanyol saw the team bag five goals away to Espanyol for the first time ever.

Goals galore

Five goals against Madrid, five against Seville and five against Real Sociedad tell their own story, but it’s not just the goal that have made this team special, it’s the great football that’s accompanied them game after game as a packed Nou Camp has regularly thrilled to their performances, rounded off with four goals against Malaga that confirmed them as Winter Champions.