Titles rather than records the aim for Barcelona

Barcelona have the chance to write another chapter in Spanish folklore when they take on Rayo Vallecano this week — but it is titles and not records that are motivating the Catalan giants.

Barca’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunda saw them extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 34 matches, equalling the Spanish record set by Leo Beenhakker’s Real Madrid in 1989.

If Luis Enrique’s reigning champions avoid defeat at Rayo on Thursday night, then the outright record would be theirs, but those sorts of milestones are just a satisfying sub-plot to what is really driving all-conquering Barca.