FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.03.2009 18:55

French clubs, a pending issue

Roger Bogunyà

On the three occasions that Barça have met French sides over two legs, they have been knocked out. On Wednesday, Josep Guardiola and his side will be looking to break the poor run.

This statistic does not includes games in the group stages or finals, such as Barça’s meeting with Olympique Lyon last year.

Here we look back at the three times Barça have gone out to French outfits.

1973/74. UEFA Cup. 1/32. The side managed by Marinus Michels lost away to Olympique of Nice 3-0, which made things decidedly tricky for the return leg at the Camp Nou. Barça came close to a dramatic comeback through gaols from Sotil and Juanito. But 2-0 was not good enough.

1984/85. Cup Winners Cup. 1/16. Despite winning 2-4 away to Metz, FC Barcelona failed to settle the tie at the Camp Nou. They even took the lead that night through Carrasco, but eventually lost in dramatic fashion, 1-4.

1994/95. Champions League. 1/4. The 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou meant Barça had to go out on the attack at the Parque de los Príncipes against Paris Saint-Germain. In the return, Bakero put Barça on course for the semi finals with a second half goal, but Raí and Guérin turned things around with goals in the last twenty minutes of play.