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05.03.2009 18:16
End of the semi final curse
Anna Segura
By reaching the final of the Copa del Rey, Barça have ended a run of two consecutive seasons in which they have come within one step of the big game. And of course, last year they also missed out on a place in the Champions League final following one
Third time lucky. Barça have avoided defeat for the third year running in the Copa del Rey semi finals.
Getafe comeback
In 2006-07, Barça were confident going into their second leg against Getafe having
already won 5-2, including Messi’s wonder-goal. But things all went horribly wrong in the
return leg, and Rijkaard’s side crashed out in dramatic fashion, 4-0.
Valencia, last year
Last year they were also on the verge of a place in the grand final,
with the first leg against Valencia ending scoreless at the Camp Nou. But again, they slipped up
away from home, losing 3-2.
A goal away from Moscow
Like in the Copa del Rey, Barça also made it no further than the semis in the last
edition of the Champions League. Just one goal was scored over the two legs, by Paul Scholes, but
that was enough to ensure it was Manchester United, and not Barça, that was off to the Russian
capital to face Chelsea.
Good sign
The last time Barça won a semi final was in the Champions League of 2005-06. They put Milan out in
the semis and then went to Paris to take on Arsenal in the final. Eto'o and Belletti turned the
game around after the Gunners had gone ahead, and Frank Rijkaard was able to celebrate his biggest
success in his time at FCB.
