On the trail of history: Flick closing in on Pep’s record

Barcelona’s relentless march through La Liga continued on Saturday evening as Hansi Flick’s side dismantled Sevilla FC 5-2 at Camp Nou, stretching their domestic advantage over Real Madrid to four points and, more quietly, edging the German coach within touching distance of club immortality.

The rout was Barcelona’s 14th consecutive home victory in all competitions, leaving Flick one win shy of the benchmark set by Pep Guardiola during the club’s golden era. Should the streak reach 15, the 58-year-old will match the longest home-winning run ever recorded by the Blaugrana.

While the league table offers immediate satisfaction, the historical subplot now shadows every fixture at Camp Nou. Flick, appointed last summer after a decorated spell with the German national team, has avoided public pronouncements on personal milestones, yet the symmetry with Guardiola’s record will intensify scrutiny when Barcelona return to domestic action.

Attention first turns to continental business. On Wednesday at 18:45 CET, Barcelona host Newcastle United in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, deadlocked 1-1 from the meeting at St James’ Park. The prospect of another home fixture offers Flick the perfect stage to draw level with Guardiola’s mark and, simultaneously, propel his side into the quarter-finals.

Barcelona, buoyed by Saturday’s goal glut and the cushion of their own supporters, know a repeat performance will keep both objectives firmly in view.