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Magical20 · 05-12-2006, 12:20 PM

Frank Rijkaard must ensure that FC Barcelona do not slip up in Camp Nou, a stadium where Werder Bremen have never managed to record a victory. More than ever a home win is vital.

With history on the Blaugrana's side, this is the first decisive game of this season's Champions League. The home team are favourites to win and continue their good run against Werder, who have lost on each of their last three visits. In 1968 the Germans were beaten 3-0 in the Gamper Trophy, they then lost 2-1 in the European Super Cup in 1993 and were also beaten 3-1 in the Champions League group stage last season, a result which saw Barça through to the last 16.

Away day blues

The record books also show that Werder have beaten Barça, with the Blaugrana winning four times and drawing three in the seven meetings between the two sides. Two of those may have been friendlies, but the facts are there. Werder have also struggled to perform away at at some of Europe's biggest names. In the last three campaigns, Werder have won only three times away from home in 11 games and have lost at such places as Inter, Lyon, Barça, Chelsea and Juventus.

Juve knockout
Against Juve last season, Werder were eliminated after they were beaten 2-1 by the Turin-based club thanks to an unlucky late goal that allowed the hosts to edge through to the next round. Playing that day for the Italian outfit were Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta.

Barça in Europe under Rijkaard

Curiously, Juve are also the last team to taste victory in Europe at Camp Nou. It was in the second leg of the quarter finals in 2002-03 that the Barça side, coached by Radomir Antic, lost 2-1 at home after drawing 1-1 in Italy. Marcelo Zalayeta netted the winning goal that night. Since then Barcelona have embarked on a run of 16 games without tasting defeat at home in Europe under Rijkaard. The team has chalked up eleven victories and five draws in that time.

A full house

The game against Werder Bremen will be spectacle thanks to the expected full house for the encounter. The interest is huge and the Camp Nou will be full of atmosphere on the night, which will help lift the home side immensely. Another reasons for so many fans will be the fact that supporters that cannot go can have their seats filled using the Sient Lliure scheme.

The highest attendances for games this season have both topped 90,000 at Camp Nou. The league game against Sevilla saw 91,220 people there, while in the Champions League some 90,119 saw the draw against Chelsea.

05-12-2006, 12:20 PM	#32 (permalink)
Magical20 Banned Favourite Team: Fc Barcelona Magical20 is Offline Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Somewhere supporting the: "KEEP SAVIOLA" foundation...1639 Km From The Nou Posts: 2,719 vCash: 500 Rep: Rep Points: 406 Country:	Camp Nou awaits (4 Dec 2006) Frank Rijkaard must ensure that FC Barcelona do not slip up in Camp Nou, a stadium where Werder Bremen have never managed to record a victory. More than ever a home win is vital. With history on the Blaugrana's side, this is the first decisive game of this season's Champions League. The home team are favourites to win and continue their good run against Werder, who have lost on each of their last three visits. In 1968 the Germans were beaten 3-0 in the Gamper Trophy, they then lost 2-1 in the European Super Cup in 1993 and were also beaten 3-1 in the Champions League group stage last season, a result which saw Barça through to the last 16. Away day blues The record books also show that Werder have beaten Barça, with the Blaugrana winning four times and drawing three in the seven meetings between the two sides. Two of those may have been friendlies, but the facts are there. Werder have also struggled to perform away at at some of Europe's biggest names. In the last three campaigns, Werder have won only three times away from home in 11 games and have lost at such places as Inter, Lyon, Barça, Chelsea and Juventus. Juve knockout Against Juve last season, Werder were eliminated after they were beaten 2-1 by the Turin-based club thanks to an unlucky late goal that allowed the hosts to edge through to the next round. Playing that day for the Italian outfit were Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta. Barça in Europe under Rijkaard Curiously, Juve are also the last team to taste victory in Europe at Camp Nou. It was in the second leg of the quarter finals in 2002-03 that the Barça side, coached by Radomir Antic, lost 2-1 at home after drawing 1-1 in Italy. Marcelo Zalayeta netted the winning goal that night. Since then Barcelona have embarked on a run of 16 games without tasting defeat at home in Europe under Rijkaard. The team has chalked up eleven victories and five draws in that time. A full house The game against Werder Bremen will be spectacle thanks to the expected full house for the encounter. The interest is huge and the Camp Nou will be full of atmosphere on the night, which will help lift the home side immensely. Another reasons for so many fans will be the fact that supporters that cannot go can have their seats filled using the Sient Lliure scheme. The highest attendances for games this season have both topped 90,000 at Camp Nou. The league game against Sevilla saw 91,220 people there, while in the Champions League some 90,119 saw the draw against Chelsea.