FC Barcelona is one incomparable Spanish club which not only represents the sport, but also the politic or even an idea. As a part of the Catalan identity to show their superiority in La Liga plus the classic rivalry against Real Madrid, playing in the Champions League annually is needed. Their giant home base, Camp Nou with the capacity of 99,000 people fits for staging European games with incomparable atmosphere.
The Catalan side has never lacked of stars in the squad throughout the history. Yet, not all stars have been lucky enough to lift the Champions League trophy while wearing Barcelona shirt. Ronald Koeman, Pep Guardiola, Michael Laudrup, Andoni Zubizarretta, Hristo Stoichkov, Ronaldinho, Ludovic Guily, Samuel Eto’o, Henrik Larrson, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves, Neymar and Luis Suarez are only a few of them who could be Blaugrana’s golden team in this continental top flight competition. Furthermore, those players will never be in one great union without the genius figures in command. Johan Cryuff, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique deserve such recognition.
Top Achievements
For Barcelona, Champions League trophy is their constant main target in every season. Since their first entry in 1960, they have won the ‘Big Ear’ titles. However, their first one was not clinched until 1992. Johan Cruyff’s side won 1-0 over Sampdoria in Wembley final. Their next title came twelve years later when Ronaldinho and Co edged out Arsenal 2-1 in Paris. Not long after, their glorious period of tiki-taka football initiated by Pep Guardiola began. Blaugrana snatched three titles in six years, in 2009, 2011 and 2015. Lionel Messi and Co crushed Manchester United twice plus Juventus.
Prior to his first trophy, Barcelona had two chances to win it but failed. In 1961, they were beaten by Benfica whereas in 1986, the Catalan side was surprisingly defeated by Steaua Bucharest of Romania on penalties despite playing the final on the Spanish soil. Their third attempt in 1994 ended in humiliating 0-4 loss to AC Milan.
Iconic Moments
There is nothing more iconic moment than ending their thirst of glory in the Champions League. 1992 final was always memorable with a tight clash against Sampdoria in Wembley. Barcelona had to wait till the extra time for the winning goal through Ronald Koeman’s free kick. The next best moment took place in 2011. At the peak of tiki taka football, Pep Guardiola’s men showed the world the true quality of his tactical approach and their academy products which dominated his squad and trashed Manchester United 3-1 in Wembley, again. It was the victory of La Masia academy. Their last unforgettable moment of glory was in 2015 final when three geniuses, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, joined forces and became one of the deadliest tridents in football. They dismantled Juventus 3-1 through Ivan Rakitic’s, Neymar’s and Luis Suarez’s goal.
The most heartbreaking moment for the Catalan side was the one and only humiliating loss in 1994 final. The supposedly dream team Barcelona with most of the remaining squad in 1992 plus Romario were hapless in the summit against AC Milan and conceded four goals. It was the end of Johan Cryuff’s golden era and leading to the internal conflict.
