SEASON 2005/06
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Venue: STADE DE FRANCE
Scorers: Eto'o, Belletti; Campbell
Arsenal in their first UEFA Champions League final suffered an early blow when their German goalkeeper Lehmann was sent off leaving them to play over 70 minutes with 10 men. Remarkably though the 10 men took the lead before half time against the much fancied Spanish giants.
It wasn't until the latter stages of the match and the introduction of Henrik Larsson that Barcelona eventually found the goals to take the final away from Arsenal and to win their second European Champions title.
The stats from the match:
Barcelona: Valdes, Oleguer (Belletti 71), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Edmilson (Iniesta 45), Van Bommel (Larsson 61), Giuly, Eto'o, Ronaldinho.
Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Motta, Xavi, Sylvinho.
Booked: Oleguer, Larsson.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires (Almunia 20), Silva, Fabregas (Flamini 74), Hleb (Reyes 85), Ljungberg, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Bergkamp, Van Persie, Senderos, Clichy.
Sent Off: Lehmann (18).
Booked: Eboue, Henry.
Att: 79,500
Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).
Match report: LINK
Personal note:
- The 4th time I attended a Champions League final - the 2nd involving Barcelona
- The 2nd time I attended a match in Paris