13.12.2010 12:56

Triumphant 28-0 streak

Anna Segura

Barcelona have not conceded a goal since November 13 in an official match. In one month, Guardiola’s side has scored 28 goals and received none.

As well as winning plenty of titles, Guardiola’s side has also set some incredible records. Such is the extent of these amazing feats that on an almost weekly basis the Barça history books are being revised.

Against Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona extended their unbeaten run to 21 games, and also set a new record of 28 goals scored to no reply.

A month since last goals

It was on November 13 that Valdés last had to pick the ball out of the back of the net when Villarreal momentarily tied their match through Nilmar. Barça have gone six games and 604 minutes and have yet to allow another goal, which has already beaten the previous record of 570 minutes set in September 2009. The honour can be shared by Valdés and Pinto, as it was the latter who turned out against Rubin Kazan last Tuesday.

But Víctor Valdés can break his own personal record if he can go the first 56 minutes of the derby on Saturday without Espanyol beating him.

Sold defence

But it would be wrong to say that this record has entirely been the doing of Valdés and Pinto, for it is as much the result of some excellent teamwork. In their last six games, the Barça defence has only allowed the opposition to shoot on target nine times, so the goalkeepers have actually had relatively little to do.

Goals galore

This run of 28 goals and none against began when Barcelona scored tow to cancel out Nilmar’s equaliser for Villarreal. The goals have come at home and away, with a massive eight scored on the road at Almeria. Guardiola’s side then scored three against Panathinaikos, shortly before the historic thumping of Real Madrid (5-0). They held onto their concentration to win 3-0 away to Osasuna (0-3) and then finally got the better of Rubin in Europe (2-0). Real Sociedad were their latest victims, and the five against the Basques mean that over the last month, FCB have averaged four goals a game.