FC Barcelona equal second best winning streak
Eleven and counting. FC Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey round of 16 at El Sardinero did more than just secure a place in the next round of the knockout competition. Hansi Flick’s side recorded their 11th consecutive win in all competitions, a figure that matches the club’s second-best winning streak in its history.
Barça have previously achieved 11 straight victories on four occasions: in the 2014/15 season under Luis Enrique; in 2008/09 with Pep Guardiola; in 1955/56 under Franz Platko; and between 1925 and 1927, coached by Ralph Kirby, Richard Dombi and Romà Forns. Hansi Flick’s team now joins this list and is aiming even higher.
Seven away from all-time best
The Club’s all-time best winning run, however, is still some way off. Seven matches away. That record was set in the 2005/06 season, when Frank Rijkaard was in charge. Barça went on to win 18 consecutive matches in all competitions, ending the season ended with the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga and a second UEFA Champions League title in the bag.
Flick's prophecy
This current run has come at one of the best moments of the season for Barça. After the 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, Hansi Flick promised his team would improve. And he has delivered on that promise. Since then, they have not tasted defeat, or even drawn a match. Eleven straight wins in which the blaugrana have regained and consolidated top spot in La Liga and claimed their first trophy of the season: the Spanish Super Cup.
More to come?
Already through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, Barça now turn their attention to the second half of the league campaign, as well as the final two matchdays of the Champions League league phase. Despite a demanding schedule in late January, they'll surely do everything they can to keep this remarkable run alive.