Barcelona make history after scoring 17 goals in first four La Liga games – but there is a warning | OneFootball

Barcelona’s 5-0 demolition of Valencia at Mestalla placed the La Liga champions alongside some of the most prolific starts in the club’s history.

Barcelona have scored 17 goals in their opening four league matches, giving them the highest tally among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues at this stage of the campaign. 

Notably, as per Mundo Deportivo, only two seasons in the club’s history have produced more goals from the opening four fixtures.

Only two Barcelona starts have been better

As reported by the outlet, Barcelona scored 19 goals across their first four matches in the 1949-50 season and went even further the following campaign, reaching 21.

The 1949-50 team, managed by Enrique Fernandez Viola, produced extraordinary victories over Nastic de Tarragona and Sevilla, winning 10-1 and 7-0 respectively. 

Yet those spectacular results were accompanied by heavy defeats against Real Madrid (1-6)  and Athletic Club (1-3).

A year later, Ferdinand Daucik’s side recorded an 8-2 victory over Real Sociedad and a 7-1 revenge win against Real Madrid. 

Despite that attacking brilliance, they also suffered away defeats to Atletico Madrid (4-6) and Real Murcia (2-3).

The 21-goal tally from that campaign remains Barcelona’s best-ever scoring start after four La Liga matches.

There is an important warning hidden within those historical numbers, though, as neither side went on to win the league title. 

Flick’s side join an exclusive group

Barcelona have previously reached 17 goals after four league games on only two other occasions.

FC Barcelona are scoring for fun this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Domingo Balmanya’s 1957-58 side achieved the same tally, as did Pep Guardiola’s team in 2011-12. 

Neither campaign ended with the league trophy in Barcelona’s hands, with Real Madrid winning the title on both occasions.

This time around, the early evidence is certainly encouraging. Barcelona have taken maximum points from their opening four matches and are already setting the pace at the top of La Liga.

Flick’s attacking structure has produced 17 goals without relying exclusively on one goalscorer or even a traditional number nine.

Still, Barcelona’s own history provides a reminder not to get carried away, as some of the club’s greatest scoring starts ultimately ended without league success.