Barcelona's rise during this season might be surprising to some, especially due to Neymar's departure, but Los Blaugranas have dealt with his absence to put up record-breaking numbers in La Liga as the first half of the season came to an end.
With Lionel Messi toppiing the goalscoring charts and Valverde's team leading in almost every category, it's no wonder to see them establish the third best start of the season for any Barcelona team in history, only one point behind Pep Guardiola's 2010-11 team.
Season 2017/18
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 14, 2018
3rd best first half to a @LaLigaEN season in history
19 matches
16 wins
➖ 3 draws
#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/YXS0wC4bSE
Meanwhile, things at the Spanish capital are not working out for Real Madrid, as the team lost their first ever home game against Villarreal on Saturday. Barcelona's win practically ended their title hopes and raised yet another red flag.
Midway through the La Liga season, Real Madrid are closer to relegation than to leaders Barcelona:
— CNN Football (@CNNFC) January 15, 2018
1. Barcelona - 51pts
4. Real Madrid - 32 pts
18. Deportivo de La Coruña - 16pts#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/jZW9RVG9sc
While Real Madrid's struggles continue, their neighbors had something to celebrate apart from finishing the first half of the season in second place. Atlético's defensive prowess has been well documented, but these numbers are simply overwhelming!
The first half of the season is over and we’ve equalled our best-ever defensive record!
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 15, 2018
We’ve conceded just eight goals in 19 matches!
Well done, TEAM!#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/vPmRbOuHIX
With one game left to be played in Matchday 19, added to the game in hand between Leganés and Real Madrid, here's how the standings look like after the first half of the season.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 83 | 22 | +61 | 93 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 35 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 72 | 43 | +29 | 76 | WLWLW | |
| 3 | Girona | 36 | 23 | 6 | 7 | 75 | 45 | +30 | 75 | LDWWW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 36 | 23 | 4 | 9 | 67 | 39 | +28 | 73 | WWWWL | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 36 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 62 | LDWLD | |
| 6 | Real Betis | 36 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 48 | 43 | +5 | 56 | DWWDW | |
| 7 | Real Sociedad | 35 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 48 | 37 | +11 | 54 | LWLDD | |
| 8 | Villarreal | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 51 | WWLWW | |
| 9 | Valencia | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 48 | DLLLW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 36 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 43 | LLLWD | |
| 11 | Deportivo Alavés | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 45 | -11 | 42 | LDWWW | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 41 | LLWDW | |
| 13 | Osasuna | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 41 | DDLLL | |
| 14 | Las Palmas | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 46 | -14 | 38 | DLLLL | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 29 | 44 | -15 | 38 | WDLLW | |
| 16 | Celta de Vigo | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 42 | 54 | -12 | 37 | WLWLW | |
| 17 | Mallorca | 36 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 41 | -12 | 36 | DWLDL | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 36 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 25 | 49 | -24 | 32 | WWLDL | |
| 19 | Granada | 36 | 4 | 9 | 23 | 37 | 70 | -33 | 21 | LLLWD | |
| 20 | Almería | 35 | 2 | 11 | 22 | 35 | 70 | -35 | 17 | LWLLD |
