Unbeaten run sets personal best for Xavi

FC Barcelona's 1-0 win at the Estadio de la Ceràmica was important for so many reasons, but it also set a new personal best for Xavi. It means he has now strung together his longest ever run of games unbeaten as a manager, no fewer than sixteen.

Best ever

That includes his time at Al-Sadd in Qatar. At Barça, he already went for 15 games without defeat between January and April of last year, a run that was matched with last week's 3-0 win over Sevilla.

And while that run consisted of 11 wins and four defeats, this one is even better. This one has brought 14 wins and two draws, and one of those draws was the one with Betis in the Super Cup semi-final that was ultimately won on penalties.

Next up, Manchester United

But there's a big challenge ahead if the unbeaten run is going to continue. Thursday brings Manchester United to Spotify Camp Nou in the Europa League. United have only lost once since November 11, and that was a closely-fought 3-2 defeat to Premiership leaders Arsenal.

Curiously, and hopefully not tempting fate, Xavi's previous run of 15 games without defeat came to an end in a Europa League fixture, namely the one against Eintracht Frankfurt. Thursday offers a golden chance to lay another ghost to rest.