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58 games in less than nine months

Barça’s 2007/08 season was very tough as Rijkaard’s side played all the matches possible except for the finals of the Cup and the Champions League. The season was compressed because of Euro 2008 in which many Barça players are taking part.

In a season that was shorter than normal because of Euro 2008 in June, FC Barcelona played 58 official games out of the 60 possible, and did that in less than nine months from 26 August to 17 May.

Barça and Getafe play most in Spain

In the 2007/08 season only Getafe played more official matches in Spain than Barça, with 61 fixtures in the League, UEFA Cup and Spanish Cup.

FC Barcelona played 58 games: 38 in the League, 8 in the Spanish Cup and 12 in the Champions League after reaching the semi-finals in both competitions. Barça only missed out on two possible games, the finals of the Cup and the Champions League.

The other teams in Spain played in far fewer matches: Real Madrid in 50; Seville in 48; and Villarreal in 46, the same as Atlético de Madrid.

Euro 2008

The season was more compressed because of Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, with eight 2007/08 Barça players taking part in it (Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Henry, Thuram, Abidal, Deco and Zambrotta). It is the first competition in which clubs receive financial compensation for the use of their players.