Ronaldo, sole European goalscorer at Estadi Olímpic

The 2023/24 Champions League begins next week for FC Barcelona against Royal Antwerp. It's a home European fixture with a difference because it will be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, although it's not the first time the stadium has hosted a Barça fixture in Europe. The ground also hosted a Cup Winners' Cup Round of 32 game against AEK Larnaca in the 1996/1997 season.

Ronaldo brace

Barça were playing in the competition after finishing as runners-up in the previous season's Copa del Rey, and this game was moved from Camp Nou because of problems with the turf in the usual ground. And that's why the side coached at the time by the late Bobby Robson played its opening game in the competition at the alternative venue.

Barça beat the Cypriots 2-0, with the goals in each half both scored by Ronaldo Nazario. A 0-0 draw in the second leg would ensure the Catalans progressed to the next round of a competition they would end up winning when Ronaldo was again the goalscorer in a victory over PSG in the final in Rotterdam.

Belgians at the Estadi Olímpic

Neither will this be the first time that Barça have played a team from Belgium at the Estadi Olímpic. In 1990, with Johan Cruyff as manager, the Joan Gamper Trophy was moved to Montjuïc because of work being done on the pitch in Camp Nou.

Barça beat Spartak Moscow in one semi-final and Anderlecht overcame PSV in the other, so the Catalans and Belgians met in the final. Barça ended up winning that game 3-1 with goals from Koeman, Begiristain and Stoichkov.

Next September 19, another Belgian team will be providing Barça's opposition for a game at the Estadi Olímpic.