Rayo Vallecano win sees Hansi Flick’s Barcelona equal Pep Guardiola’s record – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano was valuable for the title race, but by no means was it a pretty performance. The team struggled to score beyond the one goal they scored in the first half and were lucky to not concede.

By getting past a difficult Rayo side at home, Hansi Flick’s team matched a major league record previously associated with Pep Guardiola. According to SPORT, the victory made it 15 straight home wins for Barcelona in La Liga this season.

Guardiola’s teams set brutal standards at the club, especially at home, so any modern side reaching one of those marks immediately earns attention. Even if this current Barcelona still has flaws, matching that number says a lot about the consistency Flick has built in league games at home.

The way Barca got there probably makes the story feel even more real. This was not a glamorous stroll to another victory. Ronald Araujo’s first-half header was enough to win it, but only because Joan Garcia produced another outstanding display in goal as Rayo pushed hard after the break.

Guardiola’s best sides are remembered for control and brilliance, but long winning runs also need ugly victories, narrow escapes and moments where character matters as much as style. Flick’s Barcelona managed to do just that last night.

It does not mean Flick’s Barcelona have become Guardiola’s Barcelona. That would be far too easy, and probably unfair on both sides. But equalling one of Pep’s home league records is still a serious achievement, especially in a season where this team has had to keep adapting.

What makes the record even more brilliant is the fact that this winning run has come across three different stadiums. It remains to be seen just how much longer Barcelona can keep this run going between now and the end of the campaign.