FLASHBACK - MATCH 1191- Wednesday 17 May 2006

 SEASON 2005/06

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Venue:  STADE DE FRANCE

BARCELONA  2  ARSENAL  1

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

Highlights:

MATCH 1824 - Tuesday 10 December 2019

 SEASON 2019/20

Group Stage

Venue:  SAN SIRO

INTER MILAN  1  BARCELONA  2

Scorers:  Lukaku;  Perez; Fati

Fantastic trip to Milan and the magnificent San Siro Stadium, to watch two of the biggest clubs in European football.

       

The end of the match and the final view of the stunning San Siro 

MATCH 1670 - Wednesday 23 November 2016

SEASON - 2016/17

-

Messi double!

My 13th time seeing Barcelona and this was their 6th UEFA visit to Celtic Park since 2004.

MATCH 1527 - Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Season: 2013/14

 

Group match - Day 2
Venue: CELTIC PARK (850)

 

CELTIC    0    BARCELONA    1

Scorer: Fábregas

 

Ten man Celtic went down to a narrow defeat at the hands of Barcelona who badly missed their main man Lionel Messi. 

Personal stats:
5th meeting at Celtic Park between these sides in European competition.
104th European tie featuring Celtic - 8th Barcelona tie.

 

FLASH BACK - Match 1103 - 11th March 2004

Season:     2003/04
UEFA CUP Round of 16, 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    BARCELONA    0

Scorer:  Thompson

Last week was not the first time Celtic had defeated a star studded Barcelona side.  In 2004 Martin O'Neill's terrific side of 2003/04 beat nine men Barcelona on an eventful night in Glasgow.  After a farcas in the tunnel only 20 players emerged for the second half and soon afterwards another Barcelona star was heading for an early bath.  Which left 10 v 9 in Celtic's favour.  Celtic took full advantage when Alan Thompson connected with a neat Henril Larsson knock down to win the first leg tie fie.
Barcelona starting XI on the night included Puyol and the best player in the world at the time, Ronaldinho. 

Match 1487 - Wednesday, 7th November 2012

Season: 2012/13

Group Stage - Match 4

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     2     BARCELONA      1

Scorers: Wanyama,  Watt;   Messi

A magical night in Paradise as Celtic beat the might of Barcelona.

Victor Wanyama & Tony Watt were the scorers for Celtic but all in green and white played their part.  However special mention should go to Fraser Forster who had an outstanding match and was the main reason Celtic experienced the sweet taste of victory against the World's outstanding football team.

Celtic were celebrating their 125th anniversary and both teams entered the arena to a splendid display marking this special occasion. 

Barcelona dominated possession throughout the match however it was Celtic who took the lead midway during the first half.   Celtic won a corner on the right and when it was delivered to the back post the outstanding Victor Wanyama powered a wonderful header past Valdés.  Before half time Barcelona would hit the woodwork twice.  First from a flash shot from Messi which clipped the top of the crossbar.  Then Sánchez was unlucky to see his header hit the outside of the post.

In the second half a series of world class saves from Forster kept Celtic in front.  As the second half wore on and Barcelona failing to turn possession into goals they sent on "A class" reinforcements in the shape of Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas and David Villa to supplement the talents of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.  Incredibly though it was a Celtic substitute 18 year old Tony Watt from Coatbridge that scored the scored goal of the game to put Celtic two up and increase even further the noise level around Celtic Park.

Just as the fourth official held aloft the board showing 4 additional minutes Messi scored but thankfully it was no more than a consolation and Celtic enjoyed one of the finest nights in their 125 year history.