Barcelona visits Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday riding an 11-match winning streak, with a home game against Real Madrid on Sunday offering a chance to break La Liga's opening-win record.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has overseen nine league wins and two Champions League victories, with 48 goals scored and 11 conceded across all 11 matches, the club said. Barcelona leads La Liga with 27 points, followed by Atlético de Madrid on 22 and Real Madrid on 21.
A 5-2 win at Real Betis on Oct. 17 brought Barcelona level with Madrid's 1968-69 record for victories to begin a league season. Beating Madrid would make it 10 wins from 10 league games and give Barcelona the record outright. The club has scored 39 league goals and conceded nine.
The immediate challenge is PSG, which has claimed the past two Champions League titles. Both clubs won their first two matches in this season's competition. PSG defeated Slovan Bratislava 6-1 and Manchester City 4-2; Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 and Galatasaray 4-1.
Barcelona will be without two defenders in Paris. The club expects a right thigh injury to sideline Eric García for three to four weeks. Jules Koundé will miss the PSG match because of a left ankle sprain. Flick identified Rodri, Frenkie de Jong and Àlex Campos as options to cover the absences.
Flick described the match as a chance to measure his team. “We're ready,” he said. PSG coach Luis Enrique, who led Barcelona to the 2014-15 Champions League title, emphasized possession when asked about Barcelona player Lamine Yamal. “The best way to defend against Lamine Yamal is to have the ball,” Enrique said.
Tuesday's match at Parc des Princes starts at 3 p.m. ET (19:00 UTC). Barcelona hosts Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. ET (20:00 UTC).
