Football
ESPN staff 8y

Luis Enrique downplays Barcelona unbeaten record as 'just numbers'

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said his team's club-record 29-match unbeaten streak amounts to nothing more than "just numbers" following a 1-1 Copa del Rey semifinal draw with Valencia.

The record-setting result looked to be in jeopardy after Alvaro Negredo fired Valencia in front in the 39th minute versus a substitute-heavy Barcelona side. 

However, Wilfrid Kaptoum, who came on as an 82nd-minute sub, found the net two minutes later to level the score and keep the streak going. Barcelona won the two-legged tie 8-1 on aggregate and will likely play Sevilla, who lead Celta Vigo 4-0 after their first leg, in the final.

The previous record was held by the 2010-11 Barcelona team, who were managed by Pep Guardiola. However, Luis Enrique was more concerned about his team's appearance in the finals, rather than focusing on surpassing his former teammate in the record books.

"At Barca we're very used to playing in finals,'' said Luis Enrique, who rested stars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez on Wednesday.

"But it is very difficult to get this far and we're really looking forward to it. It says a lot for this club's ability to reinvent itself. We're delighted.

"The record is just numbers. So let's see if those numbers are good enough to bring us titles.''

^ Back to Top ^