With almost half of the 2017-18 season played only three sides in Europe’s five biggest leagues remain unbeaten: Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City.

While plenty of observers are mulling the possibility of Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders going the entire domestic season without losing a game to match Arsenal’s “invincibles” of 2003-04, Atlético have been quietly carving out a bit of club history by reaching a record mark of 20 league games without tasting defeat, the longest run the Rojiblancos have ever achieved in LaLiga.

Atlético's Oblak wall

Full screen TOBY MELVILLE (REUTERS)

Much of Atlético’s success in that regard has been based on the famous defensive solidity of Diego Simeone’s side, who have conceded only seven league goals this season while keeper Jan Oblak has managed 10 clean sheets in 16 games. Among the three unbeaten sides in Europe this season Atlético enjoy the least possession and have taken far fewer shots (142) than Barcelona (195) and City (257). Simeone’s side have scored fewer than half the number of goals Guardiola’s team have racked up across the course of 16 consecutive victories, opening up an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Atlético’s away for has also been eye-catching. Simeone’s side have not lost on the road since December 12, 2016, over a year ago. On Friday, in Cornellà, Atlético will attempt to go an entire calendar year unbeaten away from home when they play Espanyol.

Valencia fell off the list two weeks ago when they lost away at Getafe and Inter Milan joined them last Saturday when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Udinese.