It’s not an exaggeration to say Barcelona have started the 2026/2027 season with a bang.
The big numbers that have rightfully grabbed the headlines include the unprecedented perfect start of eight straight wins, as well as Raphinha setting the club record for 12 goals in the first eight La Liga matches.
Now, it’s not how you start that matters, but how you finish. This will be a long season, and the measure of success will ultimately be trophies. It’s worth managing our excitement, but we should also
appreciate and understand that the early success is the result of merit, not good fortune.
How exactly is Barcelona achieving these results? The wins and the goals? Most important, is it sustainable?
The first stat in my mind is the work rate. In the first seven La Liga matches, compared to Real Madrid, Barcelona have run approximately 21km more as a team.
Of all the numbers, this is the most critical in my opinion, and it also raises questions about whether Barcelona can keep it up.
Before we talk about all the goals, and by the way the Blaugrana have scored 36 so far, we should understand in Hansi Flick’s mind the conditions that are necessary for making attacking football effective.
Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi are here for a reason. They run and do the work. When either plays, combined with Raphinha up front, who is another work horse, Barcelona is already a better pressing team than a year ago when Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski were leading the line.
It’s not just that Barcelona are running a lot, it’s the type of running in high value situations. We are seeing more work rate from the forwards defensively, and less of the center backs sprinting back in desperation to chase down a ball played in behind.
Flick understood that this is not something you can easily coach. You really do need players who have the character. That’s why Anthony Gordon was such a statement signing, and frankly why Real Madrid is still struggling to keep up with the fight and physicality of the modern game where hard work beats talent.
Adding on to the distance covered, one stat that explains the effect of it is that Barça are outperforming their expected underlying numbers at both ends of the pitch.
They’re averaging 4.5 goals scored per game against an xG of 3.67. This shows that they have improved a lot in their finishing. It’s one thing to generate chances, as Flick’s Barca has always done, and quite another to be clinical.
On the other end, they’re surrendering only one goal per game against an xG of 1.05. So expectations here are matching reality. That means while the attack is running riot, the defense it doing what they’re supposed to do.
The strategy isn’t shutouts. Flick knows his team will surrender a goal and that’s OK, so long as the unforced errors are limited. This lays the foundation for the team to do what they are trained to do, overwhelm the opponent by attacking relentlessly.
Finally, one stat I’d throw out as significant is Barcelona’s undefeated record on the road.
Barcelona have been not intimidated by opposing fans. Take the Sevilla game for example, Barcelona were tested, but the environment couldn’t break them.
Consistency is king. No matter where you’re playing, you play your game, nothing changes.
Like Diego Simeone said, Barcelona press you like crazy in your own stadium. They’re fearless, and confident in what they do and how they do it.
Away from home, Barcelona have actually surrendered less goals. At the Camp Nou, it’s been five goals in four games, and on the road it’s been three goals in four games.
Let’s continue to cheer on Raphinha as he continues his campaign for the Pichichi, and maybe even a future Ballon d’Or. Let’s allow ourselves to be elated by the perfect start to the season, and enjoy it for as long as the streak lasts.
Numbers aside, the reason we should be bullish on Barcelona, can be understood through the eye test.
There are smiles on the faces of players and fans alike. There is pride because Barcelona is doing what the club was born to do. To play beautiful football, and to dominate the game accordingly.
It’s a combination of work ethic, talent, and grace, and it’s an undeniable recipe for success.
Allow yourself to enjoy the show.
There’s every reason to believe that it could be history in the making.
