Stat of the Day: 8 | European Cup Finals

Barça have reached the final of the European Cup, or the Champions League as it is known now, on eight different occasions. Only Real Madrid (16), AC Milan (11), Bayern Munich (10), Juventus and Liverpool (9) have played more. And we have won the trophy five times, a total surpassed by only three other teams and matched with Bayern.

1992: The first European crown

After losing to Benfica (Berne 1961) and Steaua Bucharest (Seville 1986), Barça finally got their hands on the coveted trophy the same year that the city hosted the Olympuc games. Johan Cruyff was the manager, Wembley was the venue, Sampdoria were the opposition, and Ronald Koeman was the hero with his incredible free-kick in the 111^th minute.

2006: Glory in Paris

Including a night of major disappointment against AC Milan in Athens in 1994, it would take a decade and a half to win the trophy again. But 2006 was a watershed moment.  Barça’s victory heralded in a new era of triumph after triumph that has continued to this day. At Saint-Denis, and managed by Frank Rijkaard, Barça had to come from behind against Arsenal and did so in the dying minutes of the game, first through Samuel Eto'o and then Belletti.

2009: Rome is blaugrana

In his first year in charge, Pep Guardiola led the team to an unprecedented treble, culminated by a win in the Champions League Final against Manchester United. Samuel Eto'o was again Barça’s first goalscorer, and it was a Leo Messi that eventually secured the trophy for the third time.

2011: Wembley again

Wembley was again the venue, albeit now the new-look stadium, and Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were again the opponents. But this game was all about Barça, who have never looked so strong in a final.  Wayne Rooney may have cancelled out Pedro’s opener, but Messi and David Villa made sure of the win in the second half, with Carles Puyol unforgettably handing the captain’s armband to Eric Abidal so the Frenchman could collect the well-earned trophy.

2015: Five in Berlin

Luis Enrique was the boss in Barça’s last continental victory. Having beaten Manchester City, París Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to get there, the Catalans faced Juventus in the final. Rakitic scored first, but Morata sent the game into extra time. Suárez re-established Barça’s lead and Neymar’s late goal made sure that the trophy would be heading back to the Camp Nou.