FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.05.2009 18:59

English dominance broken

Roger Bogunyà

Thanks to the last-gasp draw at Stamford Bridge, FC Barcelona is the first team from outside the Premier League to beat an English team over a two-leg tie. One of Barça’s many achievements on Wednesday evening.

On 2nd May 2007, AC Milan knocked out Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Since then no other team from outside the Premier League has managed to match that feat. At least not until Wednesday, when Barça ended Chelsea’s hopes of their first Champions League trophy.

13 unbeaten ties

English dominance has been especially obvious over the last two seasons when the Premier League has managed to put three teams into the Champions League semi-finals – with Barça completing the quartet. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have passed 13 ties since 2nd May 2007 against foreign opposition. Here are the details:

2007/08 season
Olympiakos v Chelsea. R16. 0-0 and 0-3.
Liverpool v Inter. R16. 2-0 and 1-0.
Lyon v Manchester United. R16. 1-1 and 0-1.
Arsenal v Milan. R16. 0-0 and 2-0.
Roma v Manchester United. Quarterfinals. 0-2 and 0-1.
Fenerbahçe v Chelsea. Quarterfinals. 2-1 and 0-2.
FC Barcelona v Manchester United. Quarterfinals. 0-0 and 0-1.

2008/09 season
Arsenal v Roma. R16. 1-0 and 0-1 (penalties).
Inter v Manchester United. R16. 0-0 and 0-2.
Real Madrid v Liverpool. R16. 0-1 and 0-4.
Chelsea v Juventus. R16. 1-0 and 2-2.
Villarreal v Arsenal. Quarterfinals. 1-1 and 0-3.
Manchester United v Porto. Quarterfinals. 2-2 and 1-0.

Four all-English battles

English dominance has produced a number of all-English ties and only this fact has led to a Premier League team being eliminated. Here are the details:

2007/08 season
Arsenal v Liverpool. Quarterfinals. 1-1 and 2-4.
Liverpool v Chelsea. Semi-finals. 1-1 and 2-3.

2008/09 season
Liverpool v Chelsea. Quarterfinals 1-3 and 4-4.
Manchester United v Arsenal. Semi-finals. 1-0 and 3-1.