The win against Elche, more sober than brilliant, allowed Ronald Koeman to equal Luis Enrique's record. Not since the time of the Asturian, recalled 'AS', had Barca been able to win five away games in a row.
Barca's run is surprising, as it has come at one of the team's lowest moments. La Liga already looks lost and the Super Cup slipped away, but Barca still have faith in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, where this week they will have to show their reliability away from home against Rayo.
Back in La Liga, Ronald Koeman's side have now won consecutive away victories over Valladolid (0-3), Huesca (0-1), Athletic (2-3), Granada (0-4) and Elche (0-2). A reaction that was demanded after the poor start away from the Camp Nou for the 'culés', who dropped points against Getafe (1-0), Atlético (1-0) and Cádiz (2-1) and suffered a lot in many other matches.
The streak, which neither Setién nor Valverde achieved, could reach six at the Benito Villamarín against Betis, precisely the same number of wins that Lucho achieved in 2015-16. Then, Barcelona won successively away to Málaga (1-2), Levante (0-2), Sporting (1-3), Las Palmas (1-2), Rayo (1-5) and Eibar (0-4).
And if it is a question of equalling former coaches, Barça, who, with the success at Elche, have now won four league games in a row. If they win the next one, they will equal what Valverde did before he was sacked last season. Txingurri beat Villarreal (2-1), Getafe (0-2), Sevilla (4-0), Eibar (0-3) and Valladolid (5-1) in succession.