Since taking charge last year the coach has made Barcelona a far more solid side at the back, tough to break down and more resilient. The defender's late intervention means Barcelona have gone 22 league games unbeaten in La Liga, a club record opening to a season, and can set their sights on Spain's best start of 32 games without defeat set by Real Sociedad in 1979-80. The Basque side lost their 33rd league game, against Sevilla, and no others but were pipped to the title by Real Madrid. That will not happen to Barcelona this season, even if Valverde's side do slip up, with their arch-rivals Madrid trailing them by 19 points. The Argentine forward was rested against Espanyol but came on from the bench to set up Pique’s goal with a perfectly placed free kick.

Source: bd News24 February 05, 2018 13:52 UTC