Good luck getting past them! Barcelona concede the fewest goals EVER across 30 games

Under the management of 43-year-old head coach Xavi Hernández, FC Barcelona has conceded only nine goals in 30 games, a record in LaLiga.

With an 11 point lead at the top of the table and eight matches to play, Xavi also looks likely to beat the world record of the fewest goals conceded in a full season of LaLiga which currently stands at 18, an achievement shared by Deportivo De La Coruña from the 1993-94 season, and Atlético Madrid from 2015-16.

While second-placed Real Madrid have conceded 24 goals so far this season, a look at goals conceded by league leaders from Europe's top competitions demonstrates the scale of Xavi's achievement. Dortmund has conceded 39 goals, Arsenal 34, PSG 31 and Napoli 21.

As a player Xavi represented FC Barcelona over 500 times, achieved 133 caps for Spain and widely recognised as one of the best midfielders of all time. He is now making a reputation for himself as an astute coach.

In a challenging season for the Catalan club, Xavi has brought tactical discipline, adaptabilityand competitiveness to the squad that is in transition, rotating between central defenders with an average age of just 24.

Andreas Christensen, 27, has played 16 league matches, Eric Garcia, 22, has played 18, Ronald Arújo, 24, has played 18 times, and 24-year-old Jules Kounde has played 22 league matches. Barça conceded 23 goals last season in Xavi's first as head coach.

After Sunday's 1-0 win over Atletico, ending the Madrid club's run of 13 unbeaten matches, Xavi's FC Barcelona move a step closer to a 27th La Liga title, but the manager is taking nothing for granted: 'We have been amazing in defense this season and tonight's victory against a superb side in credit to the players,' said Xavi.

'But we don't consider ourselves Champions and will continue to focus on every match and fight for every point for the remainder of the season.'

FC Barcelona plays 9th-placed club Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday at 22:00CET.