FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.09.2009 10:37

Barça v Dynamo: Did you know …

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There are plenty of stats, anecdotes and trivia surrounding the Barça v Dynamo Kiev game on Tuesday. Here we give you a selection.

- The last time Barça played a Ukrainian team at the Camp Nou was when they lost 2-3 to Shakhtar Donetsk in the last game of the Champions League group stage last season. But FC Barcelona had already sealed top spot in the group.

- FC Barcelona biggest ever home defeat in Europe was against Dynamo Kiev, on November 5, 1997.

- That night, Andriy Shevchenko scored a first half hat-trick. The striker is now back at Dynamo after spells with Milan and Chelsea.

- In his first league game, Shevchenko scored from the penalty spot. But on Tuesday night his presence is in doubt after he took a knock in the last league outing against Zoria. And on the night of the game, ‘Sheva’ will also be celebrating his 33rd birthday.

- On another September 29, in 1993, Barça and Dynamo Kiev also met at the Camp Nou, on one of the great glory nights of the Dream Team era (4-1). Barça have not beaten Kiev since then.

- That was because they lost both meetings in the 1997/98 season, 3-0 and 4-0. Only Shevchenko and goalkeeper Shovkovskiy remain from those matches, while Puyol was a substitute for the 4-0 loss.

- FC Barcelona now have their first ever Ukrainian player in Dmytro Chygrynskiy. But as he played for Shakhtar in Champions League qualifying, he is ineligible to play tonight.

- Dynamo Kiev have let in 298 goals in UEFA competitions, and as they are only two shy of 300, FC Barcelona could be the culprits for making it three ton.

- Barça and Dynamo have both had excellent start to their domestic seasons. Guardiola’s side has 15 points out of 15, while Gazzaev can boast seven wins and a draw in the Ukrainian Premier League, placing them two points clear of nearest rivals Shakhtar.

- It is exactly five months since Barça last played a European game at the Camp Nou. That was the Barça v Chelsea (0-0) match in the first leg of last season’s semi final.

- Only one Barça player, Thierry Henry has ever scored against Dynamo. That was when he was still on Arsenal’s books.

- FC Barcelona, as the defending champions, have the right to use the same ball in home matches as was used in last season’s final. In the games they play away, they will use this season’s design.