FC Barcelona secure 12th quarter-final berth, a record in the Champions League

Comeback, show of greatness and qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League! This Tuesday’s victory over AC Milan gave FC Barcelona its 12th appearance in the round of 8 since the current format was instated in 1992.

In addition, Barça secured qualification in record fashion, only Manchester United have made as many appearances in the quarter-final round as the Blaugrana.  This Wednesday, Bayern Munich could secure its 12th appearance in the round of 8 if the Germans defeat Arsenal.

FC Barcelona’s trajectory in the Champions League has been, at the very least, brilliant. In the last 20 years, Europe has seen Barça go deep in the Champions League. The Blaugrana have won three titles, lost five times in the semi-final round and twice in the quarter-finals. In addition, in the 1993/94 season Barça reached the final, and lost to AC Milan.

Memories that show the way

Barça’s first European Cup was won at Wembley in the 1992/93 season, the competition was renamed the Champions League the following year. Years later, in 2006, Frank Rijkaard led Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Belletti, and company to the team’s second European crown, in Paris, when Barça defeated Arsenal. In 2009, with Josep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova on the bench and with Xavi, Messi, Busquets, Iniesta and company on the pitch, Barça secured a final berth thanks a last-gasp goal against Chelsea. The team went on to claim victory over Manchester United. Two years later, Barça’s fourth title, the team returned to Wembley and defeated the Red Devils once again to claim the trophy.

This evening, Barça took one giant step towards its second home. The Blaugrana are firmly on the road to Wembley thanks to this evening’s historic victory over Milan.