Those who didn't believe in Ernesto Valverde's skills as a manager will have to bow down to the coach, as he has led Barcelona to the best start of a La Liga season.
Everything Barcelona had to do on Sunday was to avoid a defeat, which they managed to do thanks to Gerard Piqué's goal. The previous record for Los Blaugranas was held by Pep Guardiola's 2010-11 team, which ended winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League title.
This was also a day to remember for Gerard Piqué. The controversial centerback replied to jeers and insults from Espanyol's supporters with a late goal that hurt their pride...and earned him a personal milestone.#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/2PvmBBNGZF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 4, 2018
Regarding the current champions, a late draw against Levante saw them keep their 19-point gap against their bitter rivals,and even if he had a costly miscue during the final minutes of the game that led to the draw, Sergio Ramos managed to make La Liga history.6 - Gerard Piqué has scored six goals against Espanyol, his favourite opponent for Barcelona in all competitions. Rivalry. pic.twitter.com/I2VNKKgURP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 5, 2018
After his goal against Levante, Sergio Ramos became the first defender to score in 14 straight La Liga seasons. pic.twitter.com/zMg4nxJeVo
— RMadrid Edition (@RMadridEdition) February 5, 2018
Here's how La Liga's standings look like after Matchday 22..@SergioRamos has scored in 14 consecutive #LaLiga seasons!
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) February 3, 2018
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17/18 pic.twitter.com/2GAWK5zDw1
| Pos. | Equipo | PJ | G | E | P | GF | GC | DIF | P | Racha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 32 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 70 | 22 | +48 | 81 | GGGGG | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 64 | 37 | +27 | 70 | PGGGG | |
| 3 | Girona | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 67 | 40 | +27 | 68 | GPGPG | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 32 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 61 | PGGPP | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 52 | 30 | +22 | 58 | EEPGG | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 51 | EEGGG | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 48 | GGPPP | |
| 8 | Valencia | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 47 | PGGEP | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 51 | 55 | -4 | 42 | GEPGG | |
| 10 | Getafe | 32 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 44 | -6 | 40 | EEPGP | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 39 | PPGPP | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 37 | GGGPE | |
| 13 | Las Palmas | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 37 | PPPPP | |
| 14 | Deportivo Alavés | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 35 | GPPPG | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 32 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 34 | GEEGP | |
| 16 | Mallorca | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 31 | PPEGP | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 31 | GPEGP | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 32 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 45 | -23 | 25 | PPGPG | |
| 19 | Granada | 32 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 18 | EGPPP | |
| 20 | Almería | 32 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 64 | -33 | 14 | PEPGE |
