FC Barcelona strong at the back

It is plain to see that FC Barcelona have improved immensely in attack since Xavi took over the side. They are dominating possession and not only incessantly creating chances, but also converting them into goals. But the team has also got much better defensively, and things are getting better and better, with clean sheets becoming a far more regular occurrence.

The team is exerting deep pressure to perfection, making sure that the ball rarely gets into areas that will trouble them at the back and seriously limiting the number of chances that fall the opposition’s way.

The 1-0 defeat of Sevilla was the third consecutive lockout at Camp Nou in La Liga. Osasuna and Athletic Club also came away empty handed in 4-0 defeats.

In between, Barça also managed to hold out against Galatasaray, and although they were unable to score themselves either, it means Ter Stegen has now gone for four games without leaking a goal at Camp Nou.

We have to go back to the 2019-20 season for a similar run. Under Quique Setién and at the height of the pandemic, Barça also went for four games at Camp Nou without conceding: Eibar (5-0), Real Sociedad (1-0), Leganés (2-0) and Athletic Club (1-0).

Next up at Camp Nou are Eintracht Frankfurt (Europa League) and Cádiz (Liga), where hopefully we will get to enjoy further evidence of something that's becoming more than clear. Barça are not just much better up front but also at the back.