Barcelona v Chelsea – past meetings

The tie is finely poised at 1-1 following last month’s first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Here, Press Association Sport revisits five of their finest past encounters.

April 2000, Champions League quarter-final second leg: Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea (After extra-time)

Gianluca Vialli’s Chelsea had produced what was then considered one of their finest European performances to secure a deserved 3-1 first-leg victory over a team boasting Luis Figo, Patrick Kluivert, Pep Guardiola and Rivaldo. But Barca’s superior class told at the Nou Camp. Goals from Rivaldo and Luis Figo – who also scored the Catalans’ away goal – brought Barca level on aggregate and, after Tore Andre Flo’s finish put Chelsea back on course to progress, another in the 83rd minute from Dani made the aggregate score 4-4. Rivaldo – then at his peak – missed a penalty in the 85th minute before scoring another in extra-time when Celestine Babayaro was sent off for fouling Figo. A further finish from Kluivert then secured a 6-4 aggregate victory.

February 2005, Champions League last-16 first leg: Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea

Even though AC Milan and Liverpool contested that season’s Champions League final, Barca and Chelsea would go on to win their domestic leagues and were considered Europe’s two best teams when they were drawn together in the last 16. Even if the second leg, won 4-2 by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, was the more exciting of the two, the first is remembered for both the Chelsea manager claiming he saw his Barca counterpart Frank Rijkaard enter referee Anders Frisk’s dressing room at half-time and Didier Drogba’s controversial red card for a second-half challenge on goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Juliano Belletti’s own goal had given the visitors the lead before finishes from Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto’o.

March 2006, Champions League last-16 second leg: Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea

Chelsea were again eliminated at the last-16 stage after a 3-2 aggregate defeat by the team that went on to beat Arsenal in that season’s final and also to retain their domestic title. A match that was short on drama, by the standards of so many of their other encounters, was essentially settled by the finest of strikes from Ronaldinho in the 78th minute. The Brazilian was then at the peak of his powers and memorably, having ridden a challenge from John Terry, struck to eliminate Chelsea, who were flattered by the draw earned by an injury-time penalty from Frank Lampard.

May 2009, Champions League semi-final second leg: Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

The hosts, then under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink, had taken the lead through Michael Essien’s powerful 20-yard strike, having held Guardiola’s Barca 0-0 at the Nou Camp, and had four appeals for penalties ignored. Deep into stoppage time, Andres Iniesta scored gloriously from the edge of the area to send Barca into the final against Manchester United and spark chaotic scenes at Stamford Bridge. Michael Ballack chased referee Tom Ovrebo to appeal when his volley appeared to strike Eto’o’s arm and, at the final whistle, Drogba had a lengthy confrontation with the official and had to be held back, leading to a yellow card.

April 2012, Champions League semi-final second leg: Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea

Chelsea gained a revenge of sorts, en route to winning their first ever Champions League, three years later. An ageing team appeared to be heading out when they had Terry sent off in between goals from Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. But Ramires gave them the lead on away goals with a masterful chip over Valdes. Lionel Messi then struck the bar from a penalty before, after some desperate defending, Fernando Torres ran clear in injury time to make it 2-2 and secure Chelsea’s place in the final, repaying some of the £50million transfer fee he had yet to justify.