Ranking the Top five longest unbeaten runs in Champions League group stage

The Champions League stands as one of the most fiercely contested football tournaments globally, where European powerhouses clash, and every victory carries the weight of a significant triumph.

In a competition where any team can emerge victorious on a given day, crafting an unbeaten run is a formidable challenge.

The journey to supremacy commences right from the group stage, and even the most illustrious clubs have faced the daunting task of qualifying from this initial phase.

Despite the cutthroat competition, certain teams have transcended the intensity and asserted dominance over the years.

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Sports Brief looks at the five longest unbeaten run in the Champions League group stages:

5. Barcelona (2009-12, 18 matches)

From 2009 to 2012, Barcelona exhibited unparalleled dominance under manager Pep Guardiola and a star-studded lineup featuring Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta. Achieving the sextuple in 2009, the Spanish club clinched the Champions League twice in three years (2009-2011).

Barcelona's supremacy extended to an unbeaten streak in the group stages for three consecutive seasons. However, their 18-match unbeaten run in the group stage concluded in 2012 with a 2-1 defeat to Celtic, a match in which the Scottish side held less than 30% ball possession.

4. Manchester City (2018-21, 18 matches)

Despite not winning the Champions League yet, Manchester City has been a force to reckon with in the last decade. Another team managed by Pep Guardiola on this list, City have gone into the last few Champions League seasons as one of the favourites.

This can be shown in their group stage display as the blue side of Manchester went unbeaten in the group stages for 18 consecutive matches between 2018 and 2021. Their run was finally ended by PSG in the 2021-22 season in a game where Lionel Messi scored his first PSG goal.

3. Barcelona (2016-20, 25 matches)

Over the past two decades, Barcelona has been a dominant force in European football, consistently captivating audiences each season.

Following Barcelona's loss to Manchester City in November 2016, they embarked on an impressive 25-match unbeaten run that concluded in 2020 with their defeat against Juventus. Throughout this period, the Spanish giants accumulated 63 points, yet despite their success, Barcelona did not secure a Champions League title, with their best finish being in the semi-finals.

2. Real Madrid (2012-17, 30 matches)

Real Madrid, the most successful club in Champions League history, clinched the title four times from 2010 to 2020, including a remarkable three consecutive victories.

The Spanish giants maintained invincibility in the group stages from 2012 to 2017, boasting a 30-match unbeaten run. This impressive streak and momentum played a crucial role in Los Blancos lifting the trophy thrice. However, their unbeaten run concluded with a 1-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

1. Bayern Munich (2017- ongoing, 31 matches)

Bayern Munich holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in the group stages, spanning 31 matches since 2017. Their impressive streak, which began after a defeat against PSG in September 2017, has seen them accumulate 87 points. Despite a challenging group with Barcelona and Inter Milan this season, the German champions continue to secure victories.