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.