The season that broke a 315-match streak of dominance
In short: For over three years, FC Barcelona maintained an almost supernatural grip on possession against every opponent they faced. That era of absolute control finally buckled during the 2013–14 season—a year defined by record-breaking starts, high-profile departures, and a historic shift in how the club commanded the pitch.
The 2013–14 campaign marked a period of significant transition for FC Barcelona. It was the club's 115th year and only season under head coach Gerardo Martino. The squad saw major personnel shifts, including the departure of long-time teammate Eric Abidal and the high-profile signing of Neymar from Santos. Other notable moves included the €25 million transfer of Thiago to Bayern Munich and the sale of David Villa to Atlético Madrid for €5.1 million after three seasons and eight trophies won.
The season began with a historic flurry of success. Barcelona set a team record by winning their first seven league matches, maintaining a wire-to-wire lead in La Liga until late in the year. Lionel Messi reached 62 goals within the UEFA Champions League during this period, while also becoming the initial footballer to record four hat-tricks in that tournament.
However, the season also signaled the end of a specific era of tactical hegemony. On September 21, 2013, against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona failed to finish with a higher percentage of possession than their opponent—the first time this had occurred in 315 consecutive matches since May 7, 2008. This shift coincided with a grueling injury cycle for the stars; Messi suffered tears to both his right biceps femoris and left hamstring during the campaign, sidelining him for weeks at a time.
Despite these challenges, the club remained a powerhouse in cup competitions. They reached their 35th Copa del Rey final and secured multiple victories across various fronts, including a 7–0 thrashing of Levante to open the league season and a dramatic Supercopa de España win over Atlético Madrid decided by an away goals rule.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2013–14 FC Barcelona season
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