FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.12.2008 13:51

Face-to-face a year later

Jordi Clos

FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais have played two ties before in European competition against each and both times in the group stage of the Champions League, with the most recent meetings coming last season.

The draw for the first knockout phase of the Champions League has paired Barça with Lyon for the first time in an elimination phase, but the clubs know each other well having met twice before. The first time was in 2001-02 and the second occasion was last term and on both occasions the Blaugrana came out on top.

A win and a draw (2007/08)

Barça, Olympique Lyonnais, VfB Stuttgart and Rangers made up Group in the Champions League and Frank Rijkaard's side showed their superiority when the teams met in Camp Nou as they defeated Alain Perrin's side 3-0 with an own goal from Clerc opening the scoring and further goals from Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry completing the scoreline.

In the second meeting, in Stade Gerland, the game ended 2-2 and that saw Barça ensure that they finished first in the group. Andrés Iniesta and Messi both scored before Juninho Pernambucano helped Lyon to come back and earn a share of the spoils.

Gerard’s later winner (2001/02)

The previous time that the two clubs have been drawn together was back in 2001-02 when they were placed in Group F along with Bayer Leverkusen and Fenerbahçe. In the third week of games, Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo both scored to give Barça a 2-0 win in Camp Nou.

Without doubt the most memorable meeting between the teams was the return leg of that season when Kluivert and Rivaldo scored again to put Barça two goals ahead i Stade Gerland before Luyindula and Carrieré levelled and looked to have earned Lyon a point before Gerard netted a dramatic winner in injury time after goalkeeper Grégory Coupet had gone up for a corner.

FC Barcelona went on to finish on top of the group and Lyon had to settle for third place and a spot in the UEFA Cup.