Barcelona handed perfect chance to prevent Real Madrid from breaking their record | OneFootball

Barcelona have made an excellent start to the 2024/25 La Liga season, collecting 21 points from a possible 24, with their only defeat coming this past weekend against CA Osasuna.

It has allowed the Blaugrana to establish a three-point lead over arch-rivals and reigning champions Real Madrid, although Carlo Ancelotti’s men are unbeaten so far in the competition.

In fact, Real Madrid have now gone a whopping 40 matches without tasting defeat in La Liga and are perilously close to toppling a record held by Barcelona.

Barcelona can stop Real Madrid

As things stand, Barcelona hold the record for the longest unbeaten streak in La Liga – 43 matches between April 2017 and May 2018 under two different managers, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.

Real Madrid are now just three games away from equalling that record and four short of making it their own.

Barcelona face Real Madrid on October 26. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

But, Barcelona have an excellent opportunity to thwart Carlo Ancelotti’s men from achieving that feat.

Los Blancos play Villarreal and Celta Vigo in their next two matches in La Liga, on either side of the international break. If they win the two, they will reach 42 matches unbeaten, one short of Barça’s record.

But the game after that would see Real Madrid face none other than Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October.

And, a win for Barcelona would not only stretch their lead in La Liga but also stop Real Madrid from equalling the record for the longest unbeaten streak in La Liga.

A win would essentially mean Barça would be killing two birds with one stone – gaining an advantage in the La Liga title race and ensuring their record stands intact and Real Madrid do not usurp it.