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Eliminated with their heads held high

FC Barcelona were unable to make it two CL titles in a row and were knocked out in the first knockout round by Liverpool.

In the group stage, Barça finished runners up in Group A behind Chelsea and ahead of Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia. In the final match of the group, Barça needed to beat Werder Bremen in the Camp Nou in order to guarantee a place in the first knockout round. Despite missing both Eto'o and Messi, Barça won 2-0 with a trademark Ronaldinho goal from a free kick and another from Gudjohnsen. They were then drawn against Liverpool. In the first leg, played in the Camp Nou, Barça went ahead thanks to a goal from Deco but were then hit by goals from Bellamy and Riise ( 1-2 ). Barça needed a magical comeback night in the second leg in Anfield and almost managed it. In the first half, Liverpool had their chances to increase their lead but it was Barça that scored first through Gudjohnsen in the 75th minute. However, the English defence held firm during the final quarter of an hour and denied Barça a second goal that would have put them in the quarterfinals ( 0-1 ).

Click here to see the statistics of the Champions League.