FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.09.2009 16:13

Goalless draws take Barça far

Anna Segura

FC Barcelona has done pretty well from goalless draws in the Champions League. In fact, a 0-0 scoreline has often been the prologue to a good run in the competition.

The goalless draw in the Giuseppe Meazza didn’t really satisfy anybody, especially since Barça deserved a better reward for their domination of the game. On the other hand, Barça demonstrated that they are a cut above Inter, one of the main pretenders to Barça’s European throne. However, the fact is that in recent years the Club has gone on to great things after a goalless draw in the CL.

2005/06: Three goalless draws and a title

In the 2005/06 season, the team coached by Frank Rijkaard fought out three goalless draws in the CL, the first against Panathinaikos in the group stage, and then went on to lift the trophy in Paris.

From Benfica to Paris

Neither side managed a goal in the first leg of the quarterfinals in Lisbon, despite plenty of goal scoring opportunities for Barça, so the 2-0 win in the Camp Nou sent Barça through to the semis. Against the mighty AC Milan, Barça won the first leg in the San Siro 0-1 thanks to a goal by Giuly. Back in the Camp Nou, the two sides disputed a goalless draw, sending Barça into the Paris final.

2008/09: To Rome via London

Last season, the treble winning season, Barça won the third European Cup in the Club’s history. Barça drew Chelsea in the semi-finals and a goalless draw in the first leg in the Camp Nou tipped the balance of the tie in the English club’s favour. Despite a good performance, Barça looked to be on the way out until Iniesta’s marvellous injury time goal sent the Club through to Rome and a glorious win over Manchester United.

2007/08: At the doors of the final

The last five times Barça has taken part in the Champions League, only once has the Club fought out a goalless draw and then not won the competition. This was in the 2007/08 season when Barça drew 0-0 with Glasgow Rangers in the group stage and progressed to the semi-finals against Manchester United. Frank Regard’s men drew 0-0 at home and were eliminated in Old Trafford by a single goal.