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. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 34 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 74 | 22 | +52 | 87 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Girona | 34 | 23 | 5 | 6 | 73 | 42 | +31 | 74 | WWWLW | |
| 3 | Barcelona | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 70 | 43 | +27 | 73 | LWLWW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 34 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 63 | 39 | +24 | 67 | WWLWW | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 55 | 33 | +22 | 61 | WLDDL | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 54 | WLDDW | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 33 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 41 | 39 | +2 | 49 | DWWLL | |
| 8 | Valencia | 33 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 37 | 38 | -1 | 47 | LLWWD | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 33 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 55 | -1 | 45 | WWDLW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 41 | 47 | -6 | 43 | LWDDL | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 33 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 37 | 49 | -12 | 39 | LLLWL | |
| 12 | Deportivo Alavés | 33 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 38 | -7 | 38 | WWLLL | |
| 13 | Sevilla | 33 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 42 | 46 | -4 | 38 | DWWWL | |
| 14 | Las Palmas | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 37 | LLLLL | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 33 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 27 | 42 | -15 | 34 | LWDDW | |
| 16 | Mallorca | 34 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 27 | 40 | -13 | 32 | LDLLD | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 33 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 37 | 50 | -13 | 31 | LWLDW | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 34 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 49 | -26 | 26 | LDLLW | |
| 19 | Granada | 33 | 4 | 9 | 20 | 36 | 61 | -25 | 21 | WDWLL | |
| 20 | Almería | 33 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 67 | -35 | 14 | LLDLW |
