Top five longest unbeaten runs in UEFA Champions League group stage

These records have become milestones in the biggest European competition.

The Champions League is one of the most competitive football tournaments in the world. European heavyweights pit against each other an every win feels like a major triumph. In a tournament where anyone can beat anyone on their day, it is very difficult to conjure up an unbeaten run. The struggle to get on top starts in the group stage itself and even the biggest of clubs have often failed to qualify from the group stages.

However despite its competitive nature, some teams have risen and dominated the league over the years. Here, we take a look at the five longest unbeaten run in the Champions League group stages:

5. Barcelona (2009-12, 18 matches)

Barcelona were at their dominant best between 2009 and 2012. Under manager Pep Guardiola and with a star-studded line-up with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the Catalans won the sextuple in 2009. The Spanish club won the Champions League twice in three years between 2009 and 2011. Barcelona’s dominance saw them go unbeaten in the group stages in three consecutive seasons. Their run of 18 matches unbeaten in the group stage ended in 2012 when the Catalans were defeated 2-1 by Celtic in a match where the Scottish side had 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 favorites. 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)

The last two decades have seen Barcelona dominate European football. The Catalans have been one of the teams to watch out every season during that period. After Barcelona’s defeat against Manchester City in November 2016, the Catalans mounted up a 25-match unbeaten run that ended in 2020 only after their defeat against Juventus. The Spanish giants picked up 63 points in that run. However their was no Champions League success for Barcelona in that period with their best finish being the semi-finals.

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

The most successful club in Champions League history, Real Madrid won the Champions League four times between 2010 and 2020 including three consecutively. The Spanish giants were invincible during the group stages between 2012 to 17 and stitched a 30-match unbeaten run. This run and the momentum helped Los Blancos lift the trophy three times. Their unbeaten run finally came to an end when they were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 at the White Hart Lane.

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

The record for the longest unbeaten run in the group stages belongs to Bayern Munich. The 31-match unbeaten streak started back in 2017. The Bavarians’ last defeat in the group stages came against PSG back in September 2017. Since then, the German giants have been absolutely ruthless, accumulating 87points in those 31 matches. Their unbeaten run looked in trouble after they were drawn in the same group as Barcelona and Inter Milan this season. However, the German champions have managed to keep winning thus far.