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.

Defender Gerard Pique said: “We’re on a good path but records don’t mean anything. It’s one other thing. It all boils down to titles.”

Barca remain on course to claim back-to-back trebles and things could hardly be going better for them in La Liga.

Sunday’s comeback win over Sevilla left them eight points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who play host to Real Sociedad on Tuesday, and a massive 12 points above Real Madrid in third.

Real suffered their first defeat under new coach Zinedine Zidane at the weekend when they were beaten 1-0 by bitter rivals Atletico at the Bernabeu, and they had a further setback on Monday with striker Karim Benzema reportedly ruled out for up to a month with injury.

Real go to Levante tomorrow.