11 – 11 games consecutively without a clean sheet.  With the multitudes of positive “number of the day” and “stat of the day” over the last years, the time has come for a genuinely negative one.  This is the worst consecutive goals conceded run since the 1998/1999 season.

The Barça defense is truly a concern.  47 total goals have been conceded in 41 games thus far, including the two Super Cup ties.  (1.15 conceded per game (cpg))

This record is abysmal compared to the years under Pep Guardiola.  Even in his first campaign (2008/9), to reach the 47 total goals conceded mark took 56 matches (0.84 cpg), until May 6th against Chelsea in London.

In the next seasons (2009/10, 2010/11), Barça never even got close to 47, with a total of 38 and 36 goals conceded over 57 (0.67 cpg) and 60 official matches (0.6 cpg) respectively.

Even in his final campaign, Guardiola’s team only conceded a 47th official goal in the very last La Liga match of the season on May 12th versus Real Betis.  That was competitive game 63 of the campaign. (0.75 cpg)

The part that makes such parallels so applicable is that personnel remains almost unchanged.  Eric Abidal being the only significant difference, possibly a sign of his critical role in years gone by.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly an issue, because it’s likely a combination of all this: two extremely attacking fullbacks, an unquestionable dip in form of Mascherano and Piqué, an increase in individual errors, and noticeable flaws in anticipation and positioning.

These numbers do not constitute pretty reading and could prove fatal in the decisive next several weeks.  Let’s hope a turn around happens, and quick.