FCBARCELONA.CAT
Main menu
Content menu
Football
25.03.2007 18:00
History on Barça’s side
The league programme has been put on hold until the end of March as international matches take centre stage. In recent seasons these breaks in the campaign have not been felt at FC Barcelona.
Under coach Frank Rijkaard, the Blaugrana have used the weeks off to good affect and have
returned to action with vital victories when all the players have returned from representing their
countries. Despite the fact that Barça have one of the largest number of internationals in their
squad, their stars have not suffered as a result of these mid-season encounters for international
games.
Only one defeat
Since the 2003-04 campaign, when Rijkaard took over as coach, there have been ten breaks in
the various seasons combined for international games. Following these matches Barça have enjoyed
seven victories, had two draws and lost just once. That one reverse came on the seventh weekend of
the 03-04 season when Javier Irureta's Deportivo La Coruña won 2-0 in Camp Nou thanks to goals from
Albert Luque and Sergio García.
Two outstanding games
Of the seven wins obtained, two in particular stand out. The 3-0 win against Real Madrid in
the Santiago bernabéu last season and the 1-0 against Espanyol in the Estadi Olímpic in the 2004-05
campaign. In the game against Madrid, the Blaugrana produced one of their finest performances in el
Clásico for many years as Ronaldinho scored two sensational goals after Samuel Eto'o had put the
visitors in front.
The year before a goal from Deco had given Rijkaard's side victory in the local derby against
Espanyol. On that occasion, FC Barcelona dominated the match despite the scoreline suggesting a
tight encounter.
Classic against Depor
All these statistics point to the fact that Barça can be confident when they begin
preparations for the game against Deportivo on March 31. It will be the third time that the two
teams have met in four seasons following an international break. The last time the fixture occurred
after a weekend off saw Barça and Depor draw 3-3 in Riazor.
Two breaks, two victories
This season the league has already been halted twice for internationals and Barça have not suffered
on either occasion. Rijkaard's side defeated Osasuna in the second round of matches thanks to two
goals from Eto'o and another from Messi.
The next game came against Sevilla and the Blaugrana were able to gain a little revenge for defeat in the European Super Cup by beating the Andalucian outfit 3-1 in Camp Nou, thanks to a brace from Ronaldinho and a third from Messi.
The next game came against Sevilla and the Blaugrana were able to gain a little revenge for defeat in the European Super Cup by beating the Andalucian outfit 3-1 in Camp Nou, thanks to a brace from Ronaldinho and a third from Messi.
