FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.05.2009 13:00

A special return

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona's return from Madrid was a memorable one as they celebrated in the dressing room and on the aeroplane before an incredible reception met them at the airport in El Prat.

The Blaugrana came away from the Santiago Bernabéu with a lot more than three points as they took a huge step towards becoming league champions with morale-boosting win ahead of the Champions League semi final on Wednesday in London. Next weekend Barça can be proclaimed as the winners of la Primera too.

In the Bernabéu first

At the final whistle, the Barcelona players and coaching staff all celebrated on the pitch in Madrid, before partying in the dressing room. In the mixed zone, the players were told that there were thousands of fans in the streets back in Catalunya.

Applause in Madrid

Gradually, the squad learned what was waiting for them back in Barcelona as they posed for photos and gave autographs while leaving the Bernabéu. When the team bus pulled away from the stadium there was a warm applause for the team after a remarkable performance against Real Madrid.

In the airport in the Spanish capital, many Madrid-based Barça fans met the team and cheered them as they walked through the complex to catch their flight home, with Lionel Messi being a crowd favourite.

DJ Piqué

Once on board the plane, the elation, the songs and the music did not stop throughout until the party touched down in Barcelona. Gerard Piqué become the impromptu disc jockey for the flight and led the players in songs and chanting. From the songs of Lluis Llach, Piqué played the hosts with Queen's 'We are the champions' being a popular choice.

A warm welcome

The first people to greet the team in Barcelona were the airport staff, who applauded as the players disembarked. Despite it being 12:30am, there were thousands of fans outside waiting to celebrate what was an historic result.

With a coach waiting to take them back to Camp Nou, the players were surprised to see a throng waiting for them, but they enjoyed the occasion as they were congratulated as they made there way past the fans. The songs continued as the players took their seats.