Jump directly to the content
BARCA'S BRITAIN

Premier League wins over Barcelona: Champions League clash at Manchester City will be Catalans’ 22nd in England — with just seven defeats

MANCHESTER CITY welcome Barcelona to the Etihad for one of the biggest games in entire Champions League group stage.

A 4-0 victory at the Nou Camp seems to have confirmed the vast superiority of Luis Enrique’s side.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and Barcelona on February 23, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
8
Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-0 in Emirate last-16 clashCredit: Getty Images

And the Catalan press have dubbed Lionel Messi the ‘English slayer’ following recent matchwinning exploits against Premier League sides.


Keep up to date with ALL the Barcelona news, gossip and transfers on our club page


This will be Barcelona’s 22nd visit to England in the Champions League — where they have lost just seven times.

Chelsea have won four of them, but the other three?

Newcastle 3 Barcelona 2, group stage: 1997-98

Caption: Asprilla rises above Nadal to meet Gillespie's cross and complete his hat-trick early in the second half against Barcelona at St James' Park last night. NEWCASTLE V BARCELONA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PIC HUGH ROUTLEDGE ASPRILLA SCORES THE 2ND GOAL. Newcastle 3-2 Barcelona
8
Faustino Asprilla rises highest to complete sensational hat-trick for Newcastle

IT SURELY won’t surprise anyone that Newcastle were the first English side to beat the Catalans in the Champions League, right?

Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona were 3-0 down inside 50 minutes after Faustino Asprilla’s incredible hat-trick.

Enrique and Luis Figo scored late to set up a grandstand finish — but the Toon held on to claim a famous victory.

Unfortunately for Newcastle, it would be one of only two wins in their campaign as they went out at the group stage.

Chelsea 3 Barcelona 1, quarter-final first-leg: 1999-00

5 Apr 2000: Gianfranco Zola scores the first goal for Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final game between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in London. The game finished 3-1 to Chelsea. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport
8
Gianfranco Zola opens scoring for Chelsea in 3-1 victory over BarcelonaCredit: Ben Radford /Allsport

BEFORE either side became the force they are today, this was seen as just another clash.

Chelsea were competing in Europe’s premier competition for the first time — and were enjoying a fine campaign.

Gianfranco Zola and a Tore Andre Flo double put the Blue in cruise control in the first half, before Figo nicked an away goal.

The Portuguese midfielder’s strike would prove vital as the Catalans won the return 5-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals.

Chelsea 4 Barcelona, last-16 second leg: 2004-05

LONDON - MARCH 8: John Terry of Chelsea scores their fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League, first knockout round, second leg match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on March 8, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)
8
John Terry scored a dramatic late header to beat Barcelona at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images

THINGS had substantially changed for both of these sides in the subsequent for years.

Both would comfortably win their respective leagues that season — and this was one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in Champions League history.

A 2-1 victory for Barca in the Nou Camp had set this up perfectly.

But Chelsea romped to a 3-0 lead within 19 minutes — and for Ronaldinho to dazzle the Stamford Bridge crowd to put his side ahead on aggregate.

But John Terry’s header 14 minutes from time sent his side into the quarter-finals.

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0, group stage: 2006-07

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARC ASPLANDTHE TIMES.18.10.06. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. CHELSEA 1-0 BARCELONA. STAMFORD BRIDGE. DIDIER DROGBA SCORES FOR CHELSEA
8
Didier Drogba scored the goal which sealed victory over Barcelona in group stage

THIS was a third meeting in three seasons — with Barcelona triumphing in their last-16 clash in the previous campaign.

Barcelona were the holders, and looked favourites to retain their crown.

However, Chelsea claimed four points to finish as group winners.

Didier Drogba’s stunning strike two minutes after the break split the two teams.

Manchester United 1 Barcelona 0, semi-final second leg: 2007-08

MANCHESTER UNITED (1) - (0) BARCELONA. PHOTOGRAPH BY MARC ASPLAND. THE TIMES. 29.4.08. Champions League semi final, second leg. Manchester United v FC Barcelona. Old Trafford, Manchester. PAUL SCHOLES (Utd) scoring the first
8
Paul Scholes' stunner sent Manchester United to Champions League final

DESPITE boasting the best attack in the world, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men enjoyed just 27 per cent of the possession at the Nou Camp in the first leg.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty for United, but they were dominated and escaped with a 0-0 draw.

At Old Trafford, the stats were marginally improved, as they saw the ball 38 per cent of time.

But Paul Scholes’ stunning strike was the only statistic that mattered as United reached the Champions League final for the first time in nine years.

Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1, last-16 first leg: 2010-11

Arsenal V Barcelona / Champions League First Knockout Round 16.02.11 Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal) scoring his sides second 2-1 (Marc Aspland The Times).
8
Andrey Arshavin celebrates scoring Arsenal's late winner against Barcelona

DAVID VILLA opened the scoring at the Emirates on 26 minutes — and the floodgates were expected to open.

This was, let’s not forget the greatest club side of all time.

However, Robin van Persie equalised on 78 minutes, and there was still enough time for Andrey Arshavin to net a winner with 83 on the clock.

The result would not matter, however, as Barcelona won the return 3-1 before going on to win a third Champions League title in six years.

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0, semi-final first leg: 2011-12

Chelsea v Barcelona. Stamford Bridge. Pic Richard Pelham. Didier Drogba scores.
8
Didier Drogba scores for Chelsea on a rare attack for his side against BarcelonaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

THIS was a clash of England’s sixth-best side against the European champions — who had added Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez in the summer.

Chelsea were in disarray and would finish the season below Newcastle.

But Drogba’s counter-attacking goal gave the Blues an important win.

Remarkably, Chelsea fought back from two goals down with ten men to draw 2-2 at the Nou Camp and reach the final — which they won on penalties.

Barcelona's Champions League matches in England

94-95: Man Utd 2 Barcelona 2
97-98: Newcastle 3 Barcelona 2
98-99: Man Utd 3 Barcelona 3
99-00: Arsenal 2 Barcelona 4
99-00: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 1
00-01: Leeds 1 Barcelona 1
01-02: Liverpool 1 Barcelona 3
02-03: Newcastle 0 Barcelona 2
04-05: Chelsea 4 Barcelona 2
05-06: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 2
06-07: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
06-07: Liverpool 0 Barcelona 1
07-08: Man Utd 1 Barcelona 0
08-09: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1
09-10: Arsenal 2 Barcelona 2
10-11: Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1
10-11: Barcelona 3 Man Utd 1 (final)
11-12: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0
13-14: Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2
14-15: Manchester City 1 Barcelona 2
15-16: Arsenal 0 Barcelona 2

Topics