The best league start of the last nine

Less than a month ago, on October 16, Barcelona lost to Madrid his unbeaten record in the league (3-1), gave up the lead and an uncertain situation faced him, with an uncomfortable schedule before the break for the World Cup. Apart from the miracle required in the Champions League (which did not take place), they received Villarreal before the betrayal of Emery and Athletic, who went and continued to go like a shot in LaLiga, and had dangerous trips like Mestalla and Sadar. This scene is complete. to the doubts that exist leave the Clásico and with a Madrid facing a completely different calendar, more pleasant and not having to leave the metropolitan area until after Qatar. Three weeks later, the situation was completely reversed.

Barcelona reached the leading breakwith a five, three or two point advantage depending on the result of Madrid-Cádiz and, above all: the start of the league finished by Xavi’s men (with a stud of defeat in the Clásico) is the best, after ten -four days, of the last nine seasons. the last championship with better numbers at this point is the one from the 2013-14 season, which Barcelona strangely did not win, thanks to one of Mateu Lahoz’s steals on the last day.

championship numbers

Tata’s Barcelona had fourteen days 40 points, with thirteen wins and one draw (surprisingly in Pamplona), the same numbers as the previous season, 2012-13, with Tito Vilanova, where the Barça team was champion. This is the League of 100 points. Since, Barcelona have not yet returned to reach 37 points on matchday 14, which Xavi’s team now recognizes. He came close in seasons 14-15 and 15-16 (Luis Enrique), with 34 points, and in 17-18 (Valverde), with 36. In these three cases he was champion at the end.

two moments mark this situation best for Barcelona in LaLiga: with the Valencia-Barça discount, the azulgrana team is tied and can stay five points behind Madrid if the white team beats Girona the next day. But then Lewandowski scored and after Girona tied at the Bernabéu, reducing the Whites’ deficit to one point. The comeback was completed by a home win against Almería in Gerard Piqué’s farewell and the Whites losing to Vallecas.

The second moment that assures Barcelona’s lead at the World Cup break was Raphinha’s goal, with an assist from Frenkie de Jong leveling the best in history. Another blow to the authority from Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ has had to finish before the international excursion to Qatar. Y, The most noticeable, with a hopeful outlook: Madrid wasted a theoretically favorable period of the calendar and now it is their turn, after the World Cup, to face the curves: double departure to say goodbye and start the year (Valladolid and Villarreal) and, in the following weeks, a visit to San Mamés, home games against Valencia and Real Sociedad and, later, a visit to Sadar, before Liverpool-Real Madrid. Therefore, opportunity well spent for Barcelona in Pamplona.