FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.04.2008 10:45

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Barça and Schalke 04 have never played each other before in a European competition. However, the two sides have come face to face on other occasions.

Schalke played in the Joan Gamper Trophy in 1970 and 1977. However, the Gelsenkirchen outfit has never played an official match at the Camp Nou.

History is on Barça’s side: on 34 occasions they have played the return leg at home after winning away and have only been knocked out twice, against Cologne in 1980/81 and Metz in 1984/85.

By contrast Schalke 04 had never previously lost the first leg at home in a European competition.

Barça has faced German opposition 13 times in European knock-out rounds, winning nine and losing four.

Chelsea’s defeat away at Fenerbahce in the first leg of their quarter final tie (2-1) means that Barça and Manchester United are the only two unbeaten teams in the Champions League.

It is almost four months since a German side last visited the Camp Nou. On 12 December 2007 Barça beat Stuttgart 3-1 .

Carles Puyol, Gaby Milito, Rafa Márquez, Touré Yaya and Leo Messi are one yellow card away from being suspended for one game. Five Schalke players are in the same boat: Kuranyi, Bordon, Rafinha, Grossmüller and Fabian Ernst.

Jermaine Jones is back after missing the first leg through suspension. The German midfielder has received more yellow cards than any other player in the Champions League at five.

Xavi has played the most games for Barça in the European Cup; if Frank Rijkaard picks him it will be his 78th. Close behind him comes Puyol who has played only one match fewer.

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is now the competition’s top goalscorer this season ahead of Leo Messi. The Portuguese has netted seven times while the Argentinean has six to his name.

Barça have made 68 goal attempts so far in this campaign’s Champions League, more than any other side.