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Barcelona came back from 2 goals down, emerging as triumphant winners following a thrilling 4-2 clash against a lively Real Sociedad side at Anoeta Stadium on Sunday night. The win extended their ongoing unbeaten streak to 29 games in all competitions this season.
FC Barcelona are currently the only remaining unbeaten team in Europe, as Manchester City's own stellar streak was extinguished by Liverpool at Anfield. Here we take a look at 5 reasons why Barcelona have been so extraordinarily good in La Liga and why they've managed to pull so far ahead of their rivals:
#5 Valverde's tactical success
After being thrust into the managerial post at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2017, Ernesto Valverde has certainly justified his appointment and is well on his way towards repaying the faith placed in him by the board.
For this season, Valverde has stuck with a balanced 4-4-2 system, compared to the 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 system utilized by Luis Enrique in previous seasons. Valverde's awareness of balance and solidity, whilst disallowing any weakness towards the opposing team has worked dividends for his side.
Valverde's system deploys his fullbacks to engage in combination play with supporting players such as Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic. This, in turn, enables them to trouble stretched opposition defences.
Furthermore, Valverde's has managed to extract some quality performances from new signing Paulinho, who has been deployed as a link between the midfield and the attacking front two of Messi and Suarez. His physicality and aerial threat have been put to good use and the stats speak for themselves.
Perhaps most importantly, Valverde's system imparts a free roaming role to Lionel Messi, allowing him to seek out spaces to manipulate and inflict damage upon oppositions.
#4 Favourable fitness record
17 of Barcelona's squad players have succumbed to injuries during this season, however, just 4 of those players have been sidelined with long-term injuries. So far, only Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele, Andre Gomes and Arda Turan have undergone several weeks wait to return to first-team action.
Contrast those figures with that of Real Madrid, who have had 6 players out for three weeks or more this season and you start to grasp the significance of a fit squad.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have endured two and three separate injury spells respectively during this season alone. Not only were Real hit harder by long-term injuries, the fact that it inflicted some of their key players effectively spelt doom for Los Blancos.
Perhaps most importantly, Barcelona's key man, Lionel Messi remained fit and firing throughout the entirety of the season thus far, and it was perhaps no coincidence that their fortunes have been so favourable during this time period.
#3 Good form breeds confidence
In the aftermath of their 5-1 defeat at the hands of their rivals in the Supercopa de España in August last year and Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona had all the work to do to pick themselves up and dust off all unpleasant memories and press on, and they managed to do just that.
Since that loss, Barca have been on a roll, brushing aside several teams and going from strength to strength with every passing game.
Their unbeaten streak now stands at 29 games and along the way, they've emerged as exultant, deserved winners against the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus amongst others. If there's one thing that good form inspires, it's confidence and this Barcelona side exudes it in abundance at the moment.
No small amount of appreciation should be showered upon Ernesto Valverde for his role in the team's ever-growing momentum. His quiet, humble nature is one to admire and he has been nothing short of instrumental tohis team's fortunes this season.
#2 Watertight defence at the back
Ernesto Valverde has shaped this Barcelona defence into one to be reckoned with. They have been very diligent in safeguarding their goal this season. In 31 games played so far, Barcelona have kept 20 clean sheets, including 12 in La Liga.
They have conceded just 9 goals in La Liga all season, bettered only by Atletico Madrid's tally of 8, and they've amassed an impressive goal difference of +43. Notably, of all the league leaders amongst Europe's top 5 leagues, Barcelona have conceded the fewest goals.
With the inclusion of Yerry Mina, and Nelson Semedo and with Samuel Umtiti growing in stature and reputation, Barca's backline is moulding into quite a formidable force to be contended with.
#1 Lionel Messi
This season, Lionel Messi has been class personified, his astounding brilliance has been showcased on more than occasion; pounding in the goals, procuring assists and carrying the team forward.
In 28 appearances for Barcelona this season, Messi has thumped in 23 goals (17 in La Liga) and assisted a further 11 in all competitions. To say that he has been conducive to the team's successful run would be an understatement. Added to that, his fine injury record this season has also served to aid the team's title charge in La Liga.
If Lionel Messi continues in his rich vein of form, there's no telling what Barcelona could go on to achieve, come the end of the season.
(Credits: Wikipedia, TransferMarkt)
