FC Barcelona NEWS
The English connection
FC Barcelona's Champions League campaign came to an end on Tuesday evening and once again the club's destiny in the competition was marked by a tie against a team from the English Premier League.
Both joy and sadness has come in matches against teams from England in recent seasons, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all being involved in writing their names into the Blaugrana history books for one reason or another.
Arsenal
On the positive side for Barça, May 20, 2006 will always be remembered as the day that Frank Rijkaard's team defeated Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris. Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti scored to give the Catalan outfit a 2-1 win over Arsène Wenger's side.
Chelsea
Since Rijkaard took over the reins at Barça in 2003, English teams have had more of a negative influence however. In the Dutchman's first season in the Champions League, in his second year, José Mourinho's Chelsea defeated them.
The aggregate score was 5-4 to the Blues. After winning the first game 2-1 in Camp Nou, Barça let in three early goals to fall behind at Stamford Bridge before Ronaldinho netted twice to draw the Blaugrana level. It was not to be the visitors' night though as John Terry netted a decisive winner in the second half.
Liverpool
Last season Liverpool defeated Barcelona in the quarter finals of the competition. Rafa Benítez's team won 2-1 in Camp Nou thanks to goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise was enough to see the Merseyside outfit through on away goals after Eidur Gudjohnsen Barça victory in the second leg at Anfield.
Manchester United
This season, Manchester United put paid to Barcelona's dreams of reaching the final in Moscow. After a goalless first game in Catalunya, a single effort from Paul Scholes gave the Premier League team victory in the match at Old Trafford and in the tie.
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Monthly Archives
FC Barcelona NEWS
2008-05-15 | Training in the Miniestadi
2008-05-15 | Touré leaves hospital
2008-05-15 | Messi: Weve all failed
2008-05-14 | Iniesta: We have to look to the future
2008-05-14 | Wednesday training
2008-05-14 | Giovani: I know I can do better
2008-05-13 | Good home record
2008-05-13 | Friendly in Saudi Arabia on May 26
2008-05-13 | Henry tops Barça scoring
2008-05-13 | Milito operation a success
2008-05-13 | Touré out for 6 to 8 weeks
2008-05-12 | Recovery day
2008-05-12 | Thuram looks back over the season
2008-05-12 | Operations for Milito and Touré on Tuesday
2008-05-11 | Pinto: I would have liked to have won for the fans
2008-05-11 | Rijkaard, honoured in the pressroom
2008-05-10 | Frank praised by previous managers
2008-05-10 | Rijkaard: Its been an honour
2008-05-09 | Squad trains in the rain
2008-05-09 | Xavi admits sense of guilt
2008-05-08 | Injury hit training session
2008-05-08 | Touré: "Its been a difficult season
2008-05-08 | Sylvinho out for a month
2008-05-08 | The man who won our second Champions League
2008-05-08 | From captain to manager
2008-05-08 | Rijkaard until 30th June; Guardiola to take over
2008-05-07 | Players reflect on a hard night
2008-05-07 | Rijkaard: "We suffered a lot"
2008-05-06 | Not the first time at Bernabéu
2008-05-06 | Touré back for the clásico
2008-05-06 | The manager with most wins at the Bernabéu
2008-05-06 | Rijkaard hoping for great game
2008-05-05 | Getting ready for Madrid
2008-05-05 | Milito to be out for six months
2008-05-05 | Playing against Madrid is always important
2008-05-05 | Touré Yaya to be at the Bernabéu
2008-05-04 | Eto'o and Deco will miss the classic
2008-05-04 | Rijkaard: The team showed great heart
2008-05-04 | Messi: "Well go to Madrid to win the game"
2008-05-03 | Touré Yaya added to injured list
2008-05-03 | We have to continue fighting with pride
2008-05-02 | Three missing from training
2008-05-02 | Valdés: "Rijkaard deserves more respect
2008-05-02 | Iniesta and Milito out for Valencia and Madrid
2008-05-01 | Back to training
2008-05-01 | The promise of goals
2008-05-01 | Etoo: I believe in this team
2008-05-01 | Messis 75 appearances
2008-04-30 | Beaten for the fifth time in the semi finals
2008-04-30 | The English connection
2008-04-29 | Manchester Utd v Barça: Did you know that
2008-04-29 | Model fans make their mark at Old Trafford
2008-04-29 | Rijkaard: It is a complicated and difficult moment
2008-04-29 | Xavi: We have missed a chance to make history
2008-04-28 | With the same intensity we can go through
2008-04-28 | The teams in Manchester
2008-04-28 | Ball possession: to be or not to be
2008-04-28 | Ferguson: Im expecting a more open game
2008-04-28 | Rijkaard: You have to believe its possible
2008-04-28 | Sun shines on the team at Old Trafford
2008-04-27 | Henry: Weve shown that we can
2008-04-27 | Few changes from the first leg
2008-04-27 | Nine Barça players will return to Old Trafford
2008-04-27 | We have lots of options to play in the final
2008-04-26 | The league gets complicated for United (2-1)
2008-04-26 | Pinto debuts for Barça
2008-04-26 | Rijkaard: Depor deserved to win
2008-04-26 | Edmílson: We have to fight for second place
2008-04-25 | Barça v Valencia, Sunday at 19.00
2008-04-25 | Rests for Xavi, Messi and Eto'o
2008-04-25 | Rijkaard promises goals will come
2008-04-24 | Back to work
2008-04-24 | Márquez: "This is the team that all we want"
2008-04-24 | Encouraging signs
2008-04-24 | Statistics speak for themselves
2008-04-23 | Barça-Manchester United: Did you know
2008-04-23 | Rijkaard impressed by the tension and the crowd
2008-04-23 | Players still confident of reaching final
2008-04-22 | Piqué: I support Barça, but want to win
2008-04-22 | Henry set to return
2008-04-22 | From the Ernst Happel to Camp Nou
2008-04-22 | Ferguson: We are stronger than last time
2008-04-22 | "We are playing for our season"
2008-04-22 | Rijkaard: "We can make history"
2008-04-22 | Thuram called in
2008-04-21 | Ferguson: "It will be a fantastic match
2008-04-21 | Session behind closed doors
2008-04-21 | Oleguer gets green light
2008-04-21 | "This team has made history and we want more"
2008-04-21 | Identical routes to the semi-final
2008-04-20 | We have to watch out for their attack
2008-04-20 | Getting ready for the semi-finals
2008-04-20 | Iniesta: We can make it to the final
2008-04-20 | Tévez: Like the final brought forward
2008-04-20 | Everything at stake against Manchester United
2008-04-19 | Lack of goals once again key problem for Rijkaard
2008-04-19 | Players regret lack of goal-scoring accuracy
2008-04-18 | Four back for the derby
2008-04-18 | "Our first objective is the derby"
2008-04-17 | Training in the rain
2008-04-17 | Xavi: Champions League is an objective
2008-04-16 | Intense session at El Montanyà
2008-04-16 | Youth team products
2008-04-16 | Euro 2008 vaccinations
2008-04-16 | A change of venue
2008-04-15 | Back to work
2008-04-15 | Abidal: The aim is to win every match
2008-04-15 | Tamudo-Puyol: rivalry in its purest form
2008-04-14 | Víctor Vázquez, fifth player to make his debut
2008-04-14 | Two exciting games in the Camp Nou
2008-04-14 | 14 in 14
2008-04-12 | Rijkaard bemoans bad luck
2008-04-12 | Puyol: We have some hard thinking to do
2008-04-11 | Messi back but Henry and Bojan out
2008-04-11 | Ready for the seasons finish
2008-04-10 | Messi working with the squad
2008-04-10 | An impeccable season
2008-04-10 | Touré Yaya boosted by win
2008-04-10 | Iniesta out for Huelva
2008-04-09 | Liverpool-Chelsea book semi final places
2008-04-09 | Ten semi-finals in 18 seasons
2008-04-09 | Rijkaard expects high level semi final
2008-04-09 | Eto' o: We cannot feel inferior to United
2008-04-08 | Did you know...
2008-04-08 | Good record against the Germans
2008-04-08 | Slomka claims talk of miracles is excessive
2008-04-08 | Puyol optimistic on eve of Schalke clash
2008-04-08 | Rijkaard: We all have to stay united
2008-04-08 | Same squad again for Rijkaard
2008-04-07 | Getting ready for the Champions League
2008-04-07 | Gaby Milito: Were giving our all
2008-04-07 | Champions League time again
2008-04-06 | Forty years since the passing of Benítez
2008-04-06 | Txiki calls for unity and self-esteem
2008-04-06 | We deserved to win
2008-04-06 | Xavi: Another missed opportunity
2008-04-05 | Same squad as in Germany
2008-04-05 | All our remaining games are finals
2008-04-04 | Ronaldinho, six weeks out
2008-04-04 | Messi: "I will play when I am 100 per cent"
2008-04-03 | Xavi continues making history
2008-04-03 | Youth Football Products in Europe
2008-04-03 | Deco limps out of training
2008-04-03 | Zambrotta: "I want to win two trophies"
2008-04-02 | Five on verge of suspension
2008-04-02 | High hopes for return
2008-04-02 | Ronaldinho trains with the squad
2008-04-02 | Messi arrives in Barcelona on Thursday
2008-04-02 | FC Barcelona: official statement
2008-04-01 | Did you know that
2008-04-01 | Valdés completes 250 games
2008-04-01 | Rijkaard highlights good mentality
2008-04-01 | Players remain prudent
2008-03-31 | Optimistic but with respect for Barça
2008-03-31 | Márquez: Theyre most dangerous in the air
2008-03-30 | Márquez and Miltio return
2008-03-30 | Valdés: "We understand the fans are upset"
2008-03-30 | Txiki demands immediate reaction
2008-03-30 | German view of Tuesdays match
2008-03-29 | Rijkaard apologises for defeat
2008-03-29 | Xavi: "We are very downcast"
2008-03-28 | Puyol included against Betis
2008-03-28 | Edú and Pavone, the Betis dangermen
2008-03-27 | Henry and Touré train with the squad
2008-03-27 | Milito to miss Betis game; Puyol doubtful
2008-03-27 | Gudjohnsen hungry for titles
2008-03-26 | Training in Sant Joan Despí
2008-03-26 | Milito suffers groin strain
2008-03-26 | "I have never thought about leaving Barça"
2008-03-26 | A positive balance
2008-03-25 | Nine finals await top three
2008-03-25 | Barça players on international duty
2008-03-25 | French Federation confirms Henry injury
2008-03-25 | Fiore v Barça friendly on July 30
2008-03-24 | Training minus the internationals
2008-03-24 | Sylvinho: Weve got to walk the walk on the pitch
2008-03-24 | The kid with the big numbers
2008-03-23 | Etoo completes the full house
2008-03-23 | 4-1 is the best way to maintain confidence
2008-03-22 | Looking for the full house
2008-03-22 | Ronaldinho, out
2008-03-22 | The squad is working with desire and attitude
2008-03-21 | Refocussing in training
2008-03-21 | One defeat ends run
2008-03-21 | Touré: "We have to lift our heads"
2008-03-20 | We conceded the goals too easily
2008-03-20 | Laporta: Eliminated with dignity
2008-03-19 | Touré Yaya and Zambrotta return
2008-03-19 | Oleguer injures hand again
2008-03-19 | King of the Cup in Mestalla
2008-03-19 | Everybody knows how important the game is
2008-03-18 | Touré back in group
2008-03-18 | Iniesta: The idea is to win the game
2008-03-17 | Intensive week
2008-03-17 | Thoughts turn to the Cup
2008-03-17 | Xavi: Weve got to buck up
2008-03-16 | Almost there
2008-03-16 | Weve got to keep the faith
2008-03-15 | Ronaldinho and Giovani out
2008-03-15 | Three young talents
2008-03-14 | Schalke in the quarter final
2008-03-14 | Schalke 04 making history
2008-03-14 | Touré ruled out
2008-03-14 | Eusebio calls for focus
2008-03-13 | Milito: We can win all our matches
2008-03-13 | Thursday training
2008-03-13 | Oleguer in, Deco out for Almería clash
2008-03-13 | The quarterfinal draw has an English flavour
2008-03-12 | Zambrotta suspended for one game
2008-03-12 | Messi recovery plan agreed
2008-03-12 | An honest Henry
2008-03-12 | Players prepare for Almería match
2008-03-11 | Amazing strike rate
2008-03-11 | Late training on Wednesday
2008-03-11 | Back worries for Touré
2008-03-11 | A decisive month
2008-03-10 | Oleguer is back
2008-03-10 | Deco pulls muscle
2008-03-10 | The aim is still the same
2008-03-09 | Goals, thrills and good football
2008-03-09 | Rijkaard gutted in defeat but has not lost hope
2008-03-09 | Zambrotta: The league is not lost
2008-03-08 | Trio share 32 goals
2008-03-08 | 18-man squad for Villarreal
2008-03-08 | Home advantage
2008-03-07 | Back to work
2008-03-07 | Zambrotta wants to win for Messi
2008-03-07 | Márquez out against Villarreal
2008-03-06 | Now there are only finals
2008-03-06 | The facts on Villarreal
2008-03-05 | Windy training
2008-03-05 | Messi out for six weeks
2008-03-05 | "We have to be positive"
2008-03-04 | Barça v Celtic: Did you know that...
2008-03-04 | Milito misses Tuesday match
2008-03-04 | Messi is an important player for us
2008-03-04 | Xavi: I am happy to score important goals
2008-03-03 | Previous matches have been tough
2008-03-03 | Strachan: Its a big ask
2008-03-03 | Rijkaard: Weve got to fight to get through
2008-03-03 | Touré and Bojan in squad for Celtic game
2008-03-02 | Recuperation thinking about the Champions
2008-03-02 | Edmílson: There are losses which make you stronger
2008-03-02 | Reliability
2008-03-01 | An Atletico de Madrid of highs and lows
2008-03-01 | Rijkaard: We didnt react well after the equaliser
2008-03-01 | Their first two goals were the key
2008-02-28 | Recovery time
2008-02-28 | Believing to the end
2008-02-28 | More united than ever
2008-02-28 | Better in everything but goals
2008-02-27 | Ton up for Messi
2008-02-27 | "We are confident about reaching the final"
2008-02-27 | Zambrotta: "We deserved more"
2008-02-26 | Messi set for first ton
2008-02-26 | Better than last year
2008-02-26 | Valencia, a familiar cup rival
2008-02-26 | Squad announced for Valencia Cup clash
2008-02-26 | Koeman: We can surprise Barça
2008-02-26 | I expect a great game from Barça
2008-02-25 | All eyes on the Cup
2008-02-25 | Weve always believed in ourselves
2008-02-25 | Barça, top in 2008
2008-02-24 | Bottom team visits Nou Camp
2008-02-24 | Two close-fought precedents
2008-02-24 | Eto'o back on form
2008-02-24 | Rijkaard: Were growing as a team
2008-02-24 | Iniesta: We played like we did on Wednesday
2008-02-23 | Changes for Levante game
2008-02-23 | We have to make the most of the moment
2008-02-22 | Márquez out against Levante
2008-02-22 | Session with all available players except Márquez
2008-02-22 | The football never stops
2008-02-22 | Levante will be motivated at the Camp Nou
2008-02-22 | Messi, best Iberian-American player
2008-02-22 | Henry: Were going through a good moment
2008-02-21 | Sporting behaviour
2008-02-21 | Messi: Champions League top scorer
2008-02-21 | From the airport to the training ground
2008-02-21 | Iniesta: Glasgow is water under the bridge
2008-02-21 | Media stars and valued youth products
2008-02-20 | Celtic-Barça...did you know?
2008-02-20 | One hundred wins in the European Cup
2008-02-20 | It was one of our best matches of the season
2008-02-20 | Ronaldinho back in starting line-up
2008-02-19 | Celtics winning ways
2008-02-19 | Squad arrives in Glasgow
2008-02-19 | Pinto returns to Celtic Park
2008-02-19 | Deco senses team is on form
2008-02-19 | Squad works out at Celtic Park
2008-02-19 | Neeskens: We have to play our way
2008-02-18 | Its one of the most important games
2008-02-18 | Eto'o and Sylvinho, back for Scotland
2008-02-18 | We have to improve in attack
2008-02-17 | Well deserved rest for Iniesta
2008-02-17 | Recovery session with reserve and youth players
2008-02-17 | Henry clears things up
2008-02-17 | Xavi: The team had a terrific attitude
2008-02-17 | Ronaldinho decides it in La Romareda
2008-02-16 | Lots of potential
2008-02-16 | Rijkaard: Were not looking at Real Madrid
2008-02-16 | Puyol: Its been a good day for us
2008-02-16 | Five points behind the leader
2008-02-15 | Milito returns to La Romareda
2008-02-15 | A very quick return
2008-02-15 | Quartet back to face Zaragoza
2008-02-15 | Rijkaard only focussing on Barcelona
2008-02-14 | "I thought I wasnt good enough"
2008-02-14 | Back to La Masia
2008-02-14 | Etoo muscle strain
2008-02-14 | Henry: Weve always had a winning mentality
2008-02-13 | "Being on the bench wakes you up"
2008-02-13 | Work and lunch in El Montanyà
2008-02-13 | Márquez: "We will go game-by-game"
2008-02-13 | Oleguer operation a success
2008-02-12 | Touré and Bojan back with group
2008-02-12 | Messi: "We need Eto'o's goals"
2008-02-12 | Jorquera: from the pitch to the treatment room
2008-02-12 | Quality reinforcement in midfield
2008-02-11 | Wednesday outing to El Montanyà
2008-02-11 | Bittersweet end to the African Cup of Nations
2008-02-11 | Oleguer to have operation on Wednesday
2008-02-10 | Arrival and training
2008-02-10 | Giovani: A very important point
2008-02-10 | Rijkaard continues making numbers
2008-02-09 | Sevilla continue their fightback
2008-02-09 | History repeated
2008-02-09 | We played more boldly in the second half
2008-02-09 | Rijkaard: It was a fair result
2008-02-08 | 27th May, friendly in Kuwait
2008-02-08 | Three reserve players, and Deco out
2008-02-08 | Espasandín and Vázquez: two possible debuts
2008-02-08 | Key game for Rijkaard
2008-02-07 | The Márquez factor
2008-02-07 | Unbeaten eight-match away run
2008-02-07 | Rijkaard: We havent changed our style
2008-02-07 | Bojan and Zambrotta to miss Sevilla clash
2008-02-07 | Team still short of players
2008-02-07 | Etoo and Cameroon into final
2008-02-07 | We have to win away to catch the leader
2008-02-07 | No final for Touré
2008-02-06 | Ten internationals in three games
2008-02-06 | Honours even in the Mini (1-1)
2008-02-06 | "Rijkaard is the best coach for Barça"
2008-02-06 | Oleguer: "We have to believe in ourselves"
2008-02-06 | Bojan will have to wait for his debut
2008-02-05 | Back to work
2008-02-05 | Milito: Comeback is possible
2008-02-05 | Historic efficiency in defence
2008-02-05 | A key month ahead
2008-02-04 | Xavi: the decisive goal scorer
2008-02-04 | Friendlies for Barças internationals
2008-02-04 | Practice match on Wednesday
2008-02-04 | 200 games for the Barça number 10
2008-02-03 | Goiko returns to Camp Nou
2008-02-03 | Solid defence and ambition the key
2008-02-03 | This victory should boost our morale
2008-02-03 | Deco: What we wanted was the three points
2008-02-02 | Henry: The key man in the cup
2008-02-02 | "We have given up nothing"
2008-02-02 | Rijkaard names 18-man squad
2008-02-01 | Bojan: "I could not ask for more"
2008-02-01 | BarçaValencia in the cup semi final
2008-02-01 | Puyol out for three or four weeks
2008-02-01 | Henry shows true professionalism
2008-01-30 | Deco is the first to be named
2008-01-30 | Laporta: "We need the fans behind us"
2008-01-30 | Constant progression
2008-01-29 | Ronaldinho joins team for training
2008-01-29 | Puyol: We have to kill games off
2008-01-29 | Second training session in one day
2008-01-28 | Training plan for the week
2008-01-28 | Must do even better
2008-01-28 | Deco: 150 games for Barça
2008-01-28 | Rijkaard: Were not giving up on anything
2008-01-28 | First team wins (4-1)
2008-01-28 | Ronaldinho fit again
2008-01-27 | Results not coming at the Cathedral
2008-01-27 | It is a shame but we havent given up yet
2008-01-26 | Highlights of a great career
2008-01-26 | Abidal in, Márquez out
2008-01-26 | Iniesta: Barça have given me everything
2008-01-26 | Rijkaard wants more goals
2008-01-25 | Back home to trai