FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.04.2009 10:44

Barça v Chelsea: Did you know that...?

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The Catalans and the English have had some fairly sparky duels in the past. Tonight they’ll be going head-to-head in a match featuring some pretty curious facts.

• The Catalans have played in the semi-finals of the European Cup ten times (including the group stage in 1992). Chelsea have been there four times (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008).

• It is Barcelona’s third semi-final in the last four Champions League seasons: in 2006 they saw off Milan, while last year they lost to Manchester United.

• Barça has played English opposition in seven European semi-finals and only won three.

• Barça and Chelsea have played three knock-out ties in the Champions League. Barça have won twice (the quarter-final in 1999/00 and the last 16 in 2005/06) while Chelsea went through in the other (the last 16 in 2004/05).

• The only players left from the clash in 2000 are Xavi and Puyol. Guardiola played in the return leg which ended 5-1. That is still the Londoners’ biggest defeat in Europe.

• Didier Drogba was the star of the two group stage games in 2006/07, scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge (1-0) and equalising in injury time at Camp Nou (2-2).

• Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink coached Valencia (1991-93), Madrid (1998/99) and Betis (2000). He beat Barça twice in the League, drew once and lost six times. He’s lost on all four previous visits to Camp Nou and always let in three goals.

• Guardiola’s men have scored more goals than any other Champions League outfit at 29 (2.9 per game).

• Both teams have let in 12 goals in their 10 Champions League games.

• In Thierry Henry’s eight seasons in the Premier League (1999-2007) with Arsenal he played Chelsea 19 times and scored 10 goals.

• Leo Messi is the top scorer in the Champions League with eight. Xavi has five assists and is the best passer alongside Franck Ribéry. They are closely followed by Messi (5).

• Busquets, Puyol and Alves are all one yellow away from suspension for Barça, while Lampard and Anelka are in the same boat at Chelsea. If they pick one up this evening, they’ll miss next Wednesday’s return leg at Stamford Bridge.