La Liga records free-firing Barcelona can break this season | OneFootball

After signing Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid seemed all set to defend their La Liga crown and leave financially-crippled Barcelona in the dust.

However, barring sporadic slip-ups, it’s been all Barca in the opening 13 rounds.

Despite slumping to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad last time out, Los Blaugranas headed into November’s international break as pacesetters, six points clear of Los Blancos.

For those eager to follow the excitement of La Liga, you can catch all the action of live football on TV, including Barcelona’s resurgence under their new management.

Not playing this formidable Barcelona frontline to their strengths is like having a Ferrari but leaving it in the garage.

That’s where Xavi Hernandez had dropped the ball despite leading the Catalan powerhouse to the league title in 2022/23, and it cost him dearly.

Barcelona realised they needed a different type of manager, one capable of accepting the club’s ongoing financial struggles but offensively oriented and able to establish a rigid structure.

The club sought a manager with an attractive style of play centred on possession, control and game domination.

President Joan Laporta desired an energetic approach, albeit with the adaptability to remain flexible in times of necessity.

Hansi Flick ticked all the boxes.

Unwanted feat

Barcelona registered their first scoring blank under the former Bayern Munich manager in the abovementioned reverse in San Sebastian.

A controversially ruled-out goal played a part in halting Barca’s seven-match winning streak across all competitions.

More importantly, it was the first time since 2014 that Los Blaugranas failed to attempt a shot on target.

The scarcity of shots was unusual and deeply concerning for a team renowned for its offensive firepower.

Lamine Yamal’s absence diminished the attacking potency of Flick’s free-firing squad at the Reale Arena.

According to AS, the Spanish giants will likely have to make do without their talismanic prodigy against Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Such an underwhelming display sharply contrasted with Barcelona’s earlier form this season, resembling the team’s performances under Xavi.

Barca bagged 79 goals in La Liga last term. However, they’ve already tallied 40 after only 13 matches this season.

Most goals in La Liga season

Hitting a century of goals in a league season was a piece of cake for Barcelona with ‘prime’ Lionel Messi.

But since La Pulga’s departure, they’ve failed to smash an 80-goal barrier in three consecutive campaigns.

They’re on course to achieve that feat this term, considering they’re already at the halfway point.

However, the question is – can they shatter Madrid’s record from 2011/12?

With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line, Jose Mourinho’s side hauled a jaw-dropping 121 goals.

Barcelona responded with 118 the following season, but the record still belongs to their arch-rivals.

There are still 25 games left for this unstoppable Flick team to try and surpass Madrid’s iconic figure.

Most home wins & goals

Both Barcelona’s league defeats under Flick came on the road.

However, their temporary home venue has been a fortress.

They’ve been flawless at home, winning all five top-flight outings by an aggregate score of 18-3 while netting at least three goals in three of the last five.

With an average of 3.6 per game, Los Blaugranas are by far the most prolific team in Europe’s traditional top-five divisions this season.

However, a narrow 1-0 win against Getafe in late September could be the scourge of their quest to beat another flattering record in Madrid’s possession.

Los Blancos fired in 78 home goals in the 1989/90 La Liga season, averaging 4.1 per match.

Given Flick’s charges are scoring at a stunning rate, the remaining 14 home league fixtures could be more than enough to match Madrid.

Barcelona and Los Merengues boast the joint record for most wins in a single La Liga campaign, with both teams racking up 18 twice.

The last time Barca achieved this was in 2012/13 under the late Tito Vilanova.

Resurgent Raphinha chasing Neymar’s record against Celta

Flick’s decision to hand Raphinha the captain’s armband has transformed the Brazilian star into one of the deadliest wingers in Europe’s top-five leagues.

Not long ago, Barcelona considered offloading the 27-year-old.

Since Flick arrived, they cannot imagine life without the ex-Leeds United forward.

Raphinha has enjoyed a remarkable start to the season, tallying seven goals and eight assists in 13 league appearances.

Getting on the scoresheet against Estadio de Balaidos would see him equal Neymar’s best-ever start at Camp Nou.

Per Marca, the left-footed superstar needs a brace to overhaul Neymar’s record, but one would draw him level with the Al-Hilal ace.

With Raphinha scoring in four of Barcelona’s last five games, finding the net against Celta isn’t beyond him.