FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.03.2007 00:00

Barça know how to win away

Under Frank Rijkaard, FC Barcelona have proved that they are capable of going to difficult places and winning crucial matches like Celtic and Chelsea. Now the team has to do it for a third time at Liverpool.

The media and supporters have been reflecting on the Blaugrana's last win at Anfield which has seen hopes lifted of a repeat performance this Tuesday. But that is not the only reason to be confident, as Barça have already showed that they can win in Britain with outstanding away day victories at Celtic and at Chelsea in recent years.

It was also not that long ago that Liverpool tasted defeat in the Champions League on their own ground. On March 8, 2006 Benfica chalked up a 2-0 victory to progress to the next round of the competition and Barça must now use that performance as a guide. The Portuguese team, then coached by Ronald Koeman, played FC Barcelona in the next round and were eliminated over two legs.

The first step towards Paris

On Feburary 26, 2006, just over a year ago, Barça won at Stamford Bridge and gave a real indication that they were on th road to the final in Paris and the club's second triumph in the Champions League. In a game that saw Lionel Messi show the whole of Europe his true potential, the Argentinian helped Barça to a 2-1 win against Chelsea.

With that win, the Blaugrana broke two records as they became the first team to win at Chelsea since Jose Mourinho had taken over the club and it was also the the first time that the Blues had lost at home in the Champions League since Besiktas won their in October 2003.

Fine display at Celtic Park

Then there was the outstanding performance in Glasgow, as FC Barcelona silenced the sound of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and walked away with a 3-1 win against Celtic. It was on September 14, 2004 that Rijkaard's side ended the Scots' strong home record with a tremendous display of passing football that ended with goals from Deco, Ludovic Giuly and Henrik Larsson scoring to win the game.