Barcelona Extend La Liga Unbeaten Run to Record 39 Games with Win vs. Valencia

Barcelona made history on Saturday as they beat Valencia 2-1 at the Camp Nou to stretch their unbeaten run to 39 games, a new La Liga record.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring from close range on 15 minutes after a brilliant through-ball from Philippe Coutinho.

Samuel Umtiti headed home Coutinho's corner early in the second half before Dani Parejo scored a late penalty to set up a nervy finish:

Barcelona Heading for Burnout?

Ernesto Valverde has rarely rotated his Barcelona side this season, and he refused to do so again on Saturday despite his team looking fatigued in their UEFA Champions League defeat to Roma on Tuesday.

His decision was partly understandable, with Barcelona needing to bounce back from their European exit and facing an in-form Valencia side.

The Barca boss made just two changes to his side, bringing in Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho for Nelson Semedo and Ivan Rakitic.

Football writer Andrew Gaffney explained why Valverde was in a tricky situation:

Meanwhile, summer signing Ousmane Dembele had to settle for a place on the bench again. ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan was surprised by the decision:

It was also perhaps no surprise that Coutinho, ineligible for Champions League duty in midweek, was one of the brightest performers with two assists.

Valverde's selection paid off as Barcelona won the game to move another step closer to the title. However, the club now have two games in a week, and he will surely have to make changes to give his key men a break.

Valencia Will Struggle to Keep Guedes

Goncalo Guedes has enjoyed a superb season at Valencia, and he has played a big role in a league campaign that looks set to end in qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

The Portugal international already has eight assists and four goals in La Liga and was unlucky not to add to those tallies as he showed his threat once more.

The winger, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, caused problems down the left with his pace and was not afraid to shoot on sight.

He twice stung the palms of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the first half and also set up Santi Mina with a cute cross.

Valencia want to keep hold of him but may find it difficult if he shines at the World Cup, according to Corrigan:

Guedes is likely to have no shortage of admirers in the summer, and he will be a big loss for Valencia if they cannot convince him to remain at the Mestalla Stadium.

Clinical Coutinho Makes the Difference

Valencia will depart the Camp Nou with their five-game winning streak over and wondering how they did not manage to take something from the game.

Ter Stegen saved well from Guedes and Rodrigo Moreno in the first half but was beaten just after the break after a Samuel Umtiti slip let in Mina. He found Rodrigo, who fired past the German but was denied by Gerard Pique on the goal line.

The German was the busier goalkeeper, but Barcelona were the more clinical team, with both goals supplied by Coutinho. Valencia did manage to score late on from the penalty spot, but it was to prove only a consolation.

Squawka's Muhammad Butt said the Brazilian will have a big impact at Barca next season:

It's arguably Coutinho's best performance for Barcelona since arriving in January from Liverpool. He hasn't been able to show his top form consistently in a Barca shirt, but he could still play a big role between now and the end of the season.

Unbeaten Barcelona Make History

Barcelona's season may well end up being overshadowed by their shock Champions League exit at the hands of Roma, but it will also end up in the history books.

Saturday's win ensured the club are now on the longest unbeaten streak La Liga has ever seen as they close in on the title, per Opta:

Valverde has come under scrutiny this season for his pragmatic approach, and his team have not produced the free-flowing attacking football of former great sides.

Football writer Andrew Gaffney said it was a much-needed victory for Valverde:

However, when it comes to results, the Barcelona boss has done the business. With just six games left to play, Barca could well become the first Spanish team to go through an entire La Liga season without defeat.

What Next?

Barcelona are back in La Liga action again on Tuesday as they head to Celta Vigo. The game is part of a busy schedule as it comes four days before their Copa del Rey final with Sevilla next Saturday.

Valencia will aim to bounce back against Getafe at the Mestalla on Wednesday and then head to Celta Vigo on Saturday.