FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.11.2009 10:38

Vote of confidence

Sandra Sarmiento

Pep Guardiola’s Barça squad has a habit of overcoming the most difficult circumstances in the Champions League.

Group F is the tightest in this season’s Champions League, with just 2 points separating Inter in top spot and Dynamo Kiev in fourth. Barça, who are currently in third place, play hosts to Inter Milan knowing that they need a win to bring the knockout stages a little nearer. The team that has won five trophies under the guidance of Pep Guardiola has remained true to its footballing style and deserves the full support and confidence of the fans.

Lyon - a defining moment

Last season’s CL tie against Olympique Lyon was one of the defining moments so far of the Guardiola era. Barça had lost the local derby against Espanyol, drawn in Gerland thanks to a goal from Frenchman Thierry Henry and then lost in the Vicente Calderón. It was one of the trickiest moments of the season. Barça needed a win to take them through to the Champions League quarterfinals – and they got it!

Champions League absentees

The problems continued to pile up for Barça even in the final. The squad travelled to Rome for the final on 27th May with Márquez injured, Abidal and Alves suspended, and Henry and Iniesta still struggling with injury. Despite all these problems, Barça produced a superb team effort to beat Manchester United and lift the trophy.

The same situation 3 years ago

In 2006, after the Paris final against Arsenal, Barça played host to Werder Bremen for the last match of the group stage. Just like now, Barça were in third place, behind Mourinho’s Chelsea and Werder Bremen themselves. Only a win would guarantee qualification for Barça. A marvellous free kick by Ronaldinho and another goal from Gudjohnsen gave Barça the three points.