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26.07.2009 18:10
Two matches against Barça
Jesús Carrillo
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played twice against his new club, FC Barcelona. Both matches were friendlies, the first one in the summer of 2002 in Amsterdam and the second in the Joan Gamper in August 2005.
Pure chance has meant that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never faced Barça in a European competitive
match despite the fact that his previous clubs, Ajax, Juventus and Inter Milan, form part of the
European club elite.
Ajax Tournament 2002
Ibrahimovic first met Barça in a friendly tournament organized by Ajax in the Amsterdam Arena
on 2nd August 2002. Ajax were coached by former Barça star Ronald Koeman while fellow Dutchman
Louis van Gaal sat on the Barça bench. Ajax won 4-3 in front of 45.000 spectators. Ibrahimovic came
on in the 77 minute in place of his current team-mate Maxwell.
Barça v Juve in the Joan Gamper
Ibrahimovic came up against Barça for a second occasion on 24th August 2005 in the Joan
Gamper. The fans were treated to an excellent match (2-2) between the Spanish and Italian league
champions. Zlatan played the first half and was replaced by French international David Trezeguet in
the second half.
The main feature of the match, however, was the explosion onto the European footballing stage
of Leo Messi, who produced an excellent performance. Ibrahimovic played well but was largely held
in check by Oleguer and Puyol. Juve took the trophy after winning the penalty shootout.
Missing silverware
Zlatan has won both the Dutch and Italian league titles (the latter on no less than five
consecutive occasions!) although the two titles won by Juventus were later annulled as a result of
the 'Moggigate' scandal.
However, he has never won the Champions League, something he hopes he will soon put right
with Barça. This is very similar to Thierry Henry, who had won everything on the national and
international stage but had been denied the Champions League until that wonderful night in
Rome…
