FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.12.2007 10:51

Barça-Stuttgart: Did you know that...

Roger Bogunyà

Records, previous meetings, statistics... Below you will find everything you need to know about Barça and Stuttgart.

- Whatever the outcome of the game, FC Barcelona will finish first in Group E. On December 21 the draw for the first knockout phase of the Champions League takes place and Barça will be paired against one of seven second-placed teams. Stuttgart, however, are already out of European competition, regardless of the result in Camp Nou.

- Frank Rijkaard's side have not conceded a goal in their first two Champions League games at home this season.

- Stuttgart have not picked up any points from their first two away games in the group, having been beat 2-1 by Rangers and 4-2 by Olympique Lyonnais.

- Mario Gómez scored all three of Stuttgart's goals in those away games and is one of the Bundesliga side's most important players.

- If he scores, Bojan Krkic will become the youngest player to do so in the history of the Champions League, taking the record from Peter Oforiquaye.

- Among the Barça squad, Touré Yaya is the only player that is one yellow card away from a suspension.

- Only six players have participated in all five Champions League games for Barça so far this season. They are Víctor Valdés, Éric Abidal, Xavi, Leo Messi, Andrés Iniesta and Ronaldinho.

- Rafa Márquez spent two seasons (1996-1998) playing alongside Stuttgart's Pavel Pavel in Atlas de Guadalajara in Mexico.

- If they appear, then Carles Puyol and Xavi will be making their 70th appearances for the club in the Champions League. Both have scored two goals in that competition.