Three clean sheets in a row in Europe

Barça continue to improve in Europe. After starting the Champions League campaign with two consecutive defeats, the blaugranes have picked up seven points from their last three matches. Despite being held by Benfica at home on Tuesday evening, Xavi Hernández's team put in an excellent performance, keeping another clean sheet. 

Third clean sheet in a row in the Champions League

In the 1-0 wins over Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine and at Camp Nou, solid defensive performances and keeper Marc ter Stegen combined to keep two clean sheets. On Tuesday those qualities were on show again in the 0-0 draw at home to Benfica. 

This defensive improvement has allowed Barça to record three games without conceding for the first time in Europe since 2019 when they beat Manchester United and 1-0 away and 3-0 at home in the quarter finals, which was followed by a 3-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-final. 

Xavi's Barça yet to concede

In his two games in charge so far Xavi Hernández is yet concede a goal as Barça coach following the 1-0 win over Espanyol and Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Benfica. 

Xavi is the 12th Barça to record two clean sheets in his opening two fixtures. If on Saturday the team do not concede at Villarreal he will become the third coach to reach three games without conceding a goal, equalling Johan Cruyff's feat in 1988 and Luis Enrique's in 2014 (7 games in total).