FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.12.2009 22:40

Barça qualify to continue the tradition

Jordi Clos

Barça have made it through the group stages of the Champions League, as they have done all but once in the last decade.

The wait is over, and after winning in Kiev ( 1-2 ), Barça are into the last sixteen in the Champions League. The Catalans have been almost ever-presents in that round recently, only having missed out once (2000/01), while the group stage led directly to the quarter finals on three occasions.

Six faultless years

Barça have made the second round six times in a row, and four times as group champions, thus gaining the advantage of playing the second leg at home. Olympique Lyon, Glasgow Celtic, Liverpool and Chelsea twice have been the sides they have met in the first knockout match.

Absences

The only time this century that Barça have not been in the round of sixteen was in 2003/04, when the format was slightly different. In 2003, 2002 and 2000, Barça topped their group to go into the quarter finals, and met Juventus, Panathinaikos and Chelsea, respectively. The only time they failed to get out of the groups in the last decade was in 2000/01. Milan, Leeds United and Besiktas knocked out the side coached by Llorenç Serra Ferrer.

The draw

Barça will find out who they play next on Friday, December 18 in Nyon (Switzerland). Their possible opponents are Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, AC Milan, Porto, Lyon, Stuttgart and Olympiakos. The first leg is on February 16 or 17 or a week later. The return will be on March 9 or 10 or a week later, Barça playing the second leg at the Camp Nou.