For the final eight teams in this season’s Champions League, all roads lead to Paris. France’s national stadium, the Stade de France will play host to the final once more – and it’s an exciting prospect which could well see two giants of the Premier League standoff against each other for supremacy again. For those who bet on football, it’s Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side who are the current favourites to lift the trophy.
But let’s cast our minds back to yesteryear and the last time the French capital hosted the final – where Barcelona and Arsenal locked horns, during the 2005-06 campaign. While fans of the Gunners may not like to be reminded of this defeat, it certainly marked happier times, playing in Europe’s premier club cup competition.
The background
Barcelona were playing in their fifth final, but only had a 25% win-rate – their only victory at this point being in 1992. However, Arsenal were making their Champions League final debut, having only previously reached as far as the quarter-finals.
Both clubs were unbeaten throughout their campaigns – with the Spanish giants topping Group C, and Arsenal, Group B. Frank Rijkaard’s side had overcome the likes of Chelsea, Benfica and Milan to reach the final. While Arsène Wenger’s Gunners conceded just two goals en route to Paris – and had beaten two Spanish sides in the knockout stages already, with 1-0 victories over Real Madrid and Villarreal.
However, Barca had been crowned La Liga champions two weeks previous – despite Deco playing down their chances.
The match
Arsenal started the match brightly, and lone striker Thierry Henry could have handed them an early lead on multiple occasions – but for some excellent reactions from Victor Valdés in the Barca goal.
At the other end, Jens Lehmann turned from hero to villain. He had already denied Ludovic Giuly and Deco the opportunity to score, but on 18 minutes, was given his marching orders. With Samuel Eto’o bearing down on goal, the Arsenal keeper rushed out and took him down outside the box. While Guily latched onto the loose ball and slotted home, Norwegian referee Terje Hauge had already blown up.
Lehmann was the first player to be sent off in a European Cup/Champions League final. Robert Pires was the unfortunate player to leave the field, as replacement goalkeeper Manuel Almunia took to the pitch.
And despite their man’s disadvantage, it was Arsenal who stunned the Spanish club, and took the lead on 37 minutes. From a Carles Puyol foul on Emmanuel Eboué, Henry took the resulting free-kick, which met the head of defender Sol Campbell.
While the Gunners held out for the rest of the half and chances were few and far between in the second period, five minutes late in the game were to change everything.
With roughly 15 minutes left to play, Andrés Iniesta sent a through-ball down the left-hand side to Henrik Larsson, whose neat footwork set up Eto’o to equalise. Four minutes later, the Swede turned provider once more – playing a one-two with Juliano Belletti down the right this time, and the Brazilian nutmegged Almunia to hand Barca the lead.
Despite Wenger’s best efforts – and bringing on José Antonio Reyes for the final five minutes – Arsenal couldn’t find a leveller and the final in Paris finished Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal.
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Of course, since then, Barcelona have won a further three finals. With this year’s competition hotting up, who will be playing in Paris next month?
