End of a historic run

It was just a matter of time before Barça finally lost a Liga match. They have been impeccable all season, but failed to extend their incredible unbeaten record any further than last Saturday’s visit to San Sebastian. To have lasted 20 matches without losing is a simply stunning achievement, and in doing so, Barça have set some amazing records, which we review here:

[+] 55 out of 60 possible points: The first season with Tito Vilanova as FC Barcelona manager could not have got off to better start. In the first half of the season, the team won 18 games and drew one, and despite finally losing in San Sebastian, they have managed to equal the best ever start to a Spanish Championship season, which Barça set two seasons ago, 2010/11, with an identical record of 18 wins and one draw).

[+] First defeat in game 20: The first half of this season was very similar to Barça’s start in 2009/10, when the team also made it this far without losing. That season, Barça went as far as game 22 before finally crashing away to Atlético Madrid (2-1), the only game they would lose in the entire championship.

[+] Best ever away start: Barça have also equalled their record for away matches in the first half of a season 2010/11, by once again winning on all ten of their trips, this time to Osasuna (1-2), Getafe (1-4), Sevilla (2-3), Deportivo (4-5), Rayo (0-5), Mallorca (2-4), Levante (0-4), Betis (1-2), Valladolid (1-3) and Malaga (1-3).

[+] Goalscoring record: The team also set a new record for goals in the first half of the season, with 64 before visiting Anoeta, making an average of 3.37 a game. This narrowly betters the average of 3.21 goals per game (61 in 19 matches) for 2010/11.

[+] The best of Messi: The Argentinian has been especially outstanding in this record-breaking Barça team. Messi scored 28 goals in the first half of the season, and added another at the weekend. And no fewer than 18 of his goals have come away from the Camp Nou, already equalling the number of goals he scored away from home in the 2009/10 season. If things cary on this way, the Argentinian could even surpass the amazing 50 goals that won him his fourth Ballon d’or last season.