The ‘Cules’ make their first visit in almost 14 years to a ground where they endured two of their biggest league defeats (5-0 and 4-0) in the Spanish championship in recent decades.
Thursday’s clash between Racing and FC Barcelona rekindles a historic rivalry in Spanish football. The ‘Cules’ are set to return to the El Sardinero for the first time in almost 14 years, their last visit being during the 2011-12 campaign – a season that culminated in relegation for the Cantabrians. On that occasion, a Lionel Messi brace secured a 0-2 victory for the ‘Cules’ at a venue that also witnessed two of their most crushing league defeats in recent decades.
Indeed, this coming February 11th will mark the 31st anniversary since Barcelona last suffered a five-goal thrashing in the Spanish championship. It was a memorable 5-0 victory for Racing Santander, which delivered a significant blow to the penultimate iteration of Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’. Quique Setien, who would later manage the ‘Blaugranas’, was among the goalscorers, alongside Esteban Torre – father of former Blaugrana Pablo Torre – Merino, and a Radchenko brace.
Since that landmark result, no side in the Spanish championship has managed to inflict a defeat of five goals or more on the ‘Blaugrana’. However, a select few have managed to net five goals against the ‘Cules’: Atletico Madrid (5-2 in 1998), Malaga (5-1 in 2003), Levante (5-4 in 2018), and Villarreal (3-5 in 2024).
Intriguingly, even through periods of struggle, Barca have scarcely lost by a four-goal margin since then either. One of the clubs to inflict such a comprehensive defeat was again Racing Santander, once more on February 11th, but in 2001. Another night of ignominy unfolded for Llorenc Serra Ferrer’s side, as Goyo Manzano’s men delivered a 4-0 thrashing, courtesy of goals from Regueiro, Ramis, Arzeno, and Mazzoni.
Beyond that fixture, the only other time Barca have lost by four goals in the league was a 5-1 defeat suffered at La Rosaleda in December 2023. This highlights that Racing are responsible for two of the most significant league drubbings inflicted upon Barca in recent decades, accompanied only by the Malaga humbling and an additional 4-0 loss in Tenerife in 1997.
Barca’s difficult run at El Sardinero ended with yet another 3-0 defeat in January 2004, despite Ronaldinho already being part of the squad. Since then, the balance of power between the two clubs has shifted dramatically. Before their relegation in 2012, Racing lost each of their last seven meetings with the Blaugrana and have not beaten them since that 3-0 win in 2004. As a result, this month marks 22 years since Racing last defeated Barça.
The ‘Blaugranas’ head into the match on the back of their Spanish Super Cup final triumph over Real Madrid and as the competition’s defending champions. Awaiting them is Racing Santander, who currently sit top of the Spanish second tier and are closing in on a return to the top flight.
