19 out of a possible 21 points

Xavi has well and truly set the Barça ship sailing in the right direction. Following another emphatic win on Sunday, 4-0 against Osasuna, the team have amassed 19 points out of the last 21 on offer and have not only consolidated their place in the top four but are closing the gap on second placed Sevilla, which is now five points (plus a game in hand). 

The brilliant run commenced with a 1-0 win at Alavés on January 23, Frenkie de Jong scoring late off a Ferran Torres assist. The latter is one of a foursome that also includes Aubameyang, Dani Alves and Adama Traoré who also arrived in the winter transfer market and have all played key roles in turning the team’s fortunes around.

21 goals in seven games

Alba, Araujo, Gavi and Alves were then on target in a brilliant 4-2 dismantling of Atlético Madrid.

The only points dropped in the last seven outings were in the 2-2 draw at Espanyol, with Pedri and Luuk de Jong scoring the goals, the latter with practically he last touch of the game.

After that, a hat-trick from Aubameyang was the highlight of the 4-1 win at Valencia.

An amazing number of different players have contributed goals to the cause, with Memphis and Dembélé netting in a 4-0 rout of Athletic Club.

Next, goals from Ferran and Memphis resolved a testing fixture against Elche.

And then Riqui Puig became the 22^nd different goalscorer this season as his team won 4-0 at home to Osasuna.

Barça are winning games and playing entertaining football, with quick-fire passing, rapid recoveries and total control of the pace of every game. Blaugrana football at its best.  “We had fun” said Xavi Hernández after the victory over Osasuna.

And so did we.