The defence continues to be key in La Liga

This season's Barça victories have begun at the back. Thanks to their excellent defensive displays they are now nine points clear at the top of the table with Xavi Hernández's team also leading the league in terms of goals conceded and in the number of clean sheets recorded. 

Preventing opponents from shooting 

The blauganes have only allowed one shot on target in their last two matches. In the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, Barça prevented Carlo Ancelotti's team from recording a single shot on goal over 90 minutes. 

In the 1-0 win over Valencia on Sunday in La Liga the blaugranes conceded just one shot on target from their opponents and that came in the final minute of the contest at Spotify Camp Nou. 

18 clean sheets 

Another statistic which demonstrates Barça solidity at the back is the number of clean sheets they have kept. 18 times in 24 matches in the league the blaugranes have prevented their opponents from scoring, a feat only matches by Deportivo de La Coruña in the 1993/94 season. 

Goalkeeper Ter Stegen has only had to pick the ball out of the net on eight occasions in the league this season. That figure represents a record at this stage of the league campaign with the previous best the nine goals conceded in 14 matches by Deportivo de La Coruña in 1993/94. 

Strong at home 

This season Barça are stronger than ever at Spotify Camp Nou. The blaugranes have conceded just once at home, against Espanyol in the derby. 10 games out of 11 in front of their own fans Barça have shown their defensive strength this season by not conceding in La Liga.