FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.02.2009 13:10

1-1 a good result in Europe

Vanessa Forns

The 1-1 draw that FC Barcelona earned from their visit to Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League in midweek is a result that historically has bee good to the Catalan team in previous European outings.

Before the game in Stade Gerland on Wednesday, Barça have had eleven 1-1 draws away from home in the first of games against continental opposition in the past. In nine of those ties the Blaugrana have progressed to the next round after the second match. That means that Pep Guardiola and his players can be very positive ahead of the next game against Lyon on March 11. The only two occasions when Barcelona did not progress after drawing 1-1 away first came against CSKA Moscow in 1992-93 and against Juventus in 2002-03.

Impeccable in the Fairs Cup

Barça's first three triumphs in ties when they drew the first game 1-1 came in the Intercity Fairs Cup. In the 1959-60 campaign they played in Belgrade and were held before winning 3-1 back in Camp Nou. The following season the two sides players again, this time in the quarter finals, Barcelona won the second match 4-3. Then, in 1962-63, a 3-2 win over Belenenses at home saw the Catalan outfit progress to the last 16 of the Fairs Cup.

Four UEFA Cup ties

It was not until 1977-78 when a 1-1 draw would be the result in the first game and this time it was against AZ Alkmaar. Barça were also held in thesecond game, but won through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup 5-4 on penalties. In 1986-87, Barcelona played at Flamurtari Vlore and drew and qualifying on away goals after drawing the second match 0-0.

Johan Cruyff's team drew 1-1 with Sevilla in the UEFA Cup in 1995-96 before winning 3-1 in Camp Nou and then in 2003-04 they defeat Puchov 8-0 after netting just once in the first encounter.

Tottenham before the final

There were two other cases when Barcelona have won at home after drawing away. In 1981-82 progress was made in the European Cup Winners' Cup with victory over Tottenham Hotspur and the Blaugrana went on to win the trophy that season.

The eleventh game

In 1992-93, Barcelona played Werder Bremen and won 3-1 n Camp Nou to complete the eleven encounters that the current Barça team should take comfort from as they prepare to take on Lyon next month.